Edinson Volquez has declared himself ready to return to the starting rotation. He threw a successful bullpen session on Monday. “I felt good,” Volquez said. “No pain. I threw all my pitches.” Volquez was expected to miss just one turn through the rotation and he is expected to return when he is eligible on June 1.
He was placed on the D.L. with back spasms.
Courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Go Reds,
Tim

Darnell McDonald was designated for assignment by the Reds. He has since accepted an assignment for the Louisville Bats.
The decision on McDonald came after hitting .175. The 30-year-old minor league veteran may not get another shot in the majors.
I would say he is behind Norris Hopper and Drew Stubbs to get the next call-up.
Go Reds,
Tim

Nick Massett was activated from the 15 day disable list today and got the win tonight. The Reds sent back down Wilkin Castillo.
He threw the ball really well tonight. He had good movement on the ball.
Go Reds,
Tim

Brandon Phillips (thumb) hit off a tee again on Tuesday and hit underhand tosses. Indications are that he’ll be ready to return to action on Friday. “The doctor said he can’t do any more damage to it unless something insane happens,” manager Dusty Baker said. “Which is out of your control anyway.”
Brandon was leading the National League in rbis for the month of May. He was really on a tear for the Reds.
Go Reds,
Tim

Cincinnati beat Houston 6-4 tonight in another wet and delayed game. The big story is that Roy Oswalt started for the Astros and didn’t beat us. He has started 3 times against the Reds this season and does not have a win. He has a lifetime record of 23-1 against Cincinnati.
Joey Votto returning from lingering effects of the flu and an ear infection hit an opposite field two run homer in the seventh inning.
Nick Massett who was activated off the disabled list before the game, got the victory with one dominant inning in relief. [...]

The Houston Astros had 3 errors which led to eight unearned runs for the Reds. Cincinnati won 8-5 in this rain delayed game.
Aaron Harang got the win after coming back from a 2 hour rain delay. The game was stopped with one out from an official game but Aaron Harang came back out after the delay. “I think I threw a complete game with all the work I did inside,” he said. Harang allowed three runs and 10 hits in five innings. Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said he was willing to work with him after the [...]

The Reds needed 11 innings to beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3. Alex Gonzalez had a walk-off hit, off of the wall to drive home Paul Janish.
Carlos Fisher got the win, in his major league debut, no less. He pitched the eleventh inning and struck out one. Luis Vizcaino was tagged for the loss.
The big story was that the Reds played without Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto. It seems like the past month, they have used a different lineup and they keep on winning. Jerry Hairston moved over to second base from third base and [...]

Joey Votto is sitting out again today. He homered twice last night but he still has some lingering effects from his inner ear infection

After taking a groundball to his bare hand, Brandon Phillips has a hairline fracture in his right thumb.
The injury resulted from a groundball off his hand on Saturday. Phillips will sit out for now, but he thinks he’ll be able to play through the injury for the most part. “I told them I don’t want to go on the DL,” Phillips said. “I feel like I can play with it.” This, courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Go Reds,
Tim

Homer Bailey was sent down to Louisville less than 24 hours after starting against the Cleveland Indians. Utility man Wilkin Castillo was called up. He was part of the deal that sent Adam Dunn to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
He hasn’t been tearing up Triple A by any means but he gives us another bat and he can play multiple positions.
Go Reds,
Tim

Edinson Volquez was placed on the 15 day d.l. due to back spasms. He is receiving daily treatments to relieve the back pain. Homer Bailey was called up from Louisville to take his place.
Go Reds,
Tim

The Reds lost to the Cleveland Indians 7-6 on Saturday. David Weathers gave a run in the 8th inning to get the loss. Homer Bailey made his first start of the season and pitched horribly.
The good news was that Joey Votto came back and homered twice. Ramon Hernandez also hit a homerun. Cincinnati scored 6 runs in the first two innings but couldn’t dent the plate after that. They left a whopping 17 men on base.
Go Reds,
Tim