Cactus League Game 7: White Sox at Reds

Michael Lorenzen has the kind of arms that look like they could rip sequoias clean out of the ground with the clinch of a fist, roots and all. The California native will continue his quest to regain a spot in the Cincinnati Reds rotation on Thursday, as he’ll take the mound for the second Cactus League start of his spring against the Chicago White Sox. Lorenzen impressed in his first outing, fanning 3 and walking nary a Colorado Rockies hitter in his 2 IP, and the lone run he allowed came after a bloop double and a throwing error. He mixed in his entire four-pitch repertoire and flashed his patented heater, and while it’s still totally up in the air whether he’ll make a return to the rotation, his stuff looked good enough to be a great fit anywhere on the team’s pitching staff come Opening Day.

Backing him as available arms today are the likes of David Hernandez, Jared Hughes, Wandy Peralta, and Vance Worley, among others.

First pitch is set for 3:05 PM ET at home in Goodyear, and there will again be no TV coverage from either side. The Reds, though, will be on the ra-di-o.

Cincinnati Lineup

Chicago Lineup

Other Notes

• While it’s frustrating that the Reds will again play a spring game sans TV coverage, you can rest easier knowing that FS-Ohio has agreed to broadcast all 162 regular season games, as was announced yesterday afternoon.
• Brandon Finnegan is supposed to be on the mound right this moment in an intersquad game, pitching for the first time in a game scenario since camp opened two weeks ago. Newly signed OF Ben Revere is also supposed to be taking part in said game. No word yet on how either has looked, though I’m sure we’ll know more later today.
• Friend of the blog and former Enquier beat writer Zach Buchanan announced officially today that he, too, is joining The Athletic. He’ll be the beat writer covering the Arizona Diamondbacks for the Arizona-based corner of The Athletic network, and we’re happy as heck for him. Zach, you’ll remember, came to the Reds initially a handful of years ago after having covered the Diamondbacks, so this is certainly a bit of a homecoming for he and his wife. Congrats, Zach!