The scouting report says that Yonder Alonso can only play first base. But with Joey Votto there, Alonso is willing to try to prove the scouts wrong.
"I'll do whatever I can to get on the field," he said. "Give Joey a day off. Give Scottie (Rolen) a day off. Play left a day."
Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Alonso would get a look at third base and left field.
A lot fans believe the logical move is shifting Votto, who is more athletic, to left.
"I don't see moving Joey," Jocketty said.
"I understand," Alonso said. "Joey's probably the best player on this team. But it's a long season. He's got my support."
Choices like this are not new.
"I remember coming up as a kid, (the Giants) had Willie McCovey and Orlando Cepeda," Dusty Baker said.
Scouts behind home plate trained their radar guns on Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman as the left-hander prepared to throw. When the ball smacked the catcher's mitt, they'd glance back at the gun and find an eye-popping number. The left-hander hit 100 mph at least three times during his spring training debut Monday, throwing two scoreless innings during the Cincinnati Reds' 14-5 victory...
Andy Marte hit a two-run homer to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 4-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. David Huff pitched two scoreless innings and the Indians, whose pitching staff was among the worst in the AL last year, have given up four runs in their first two exhibition games. "Another well-pitched ballgame makes us happy," Acta said "That's what we're trying...
Aaron Harang was selected by Reds manager Dusty Baker to be Cincinnati's Opening Day starter for a team record-tying fifth straight season. Baker said Wednesday that he struggled with the choice between Harang and Bronson Arroyo, and he talked with both before deciding to hand the ball to Harang.
