Every year, it seems there’s a baseball player or two who have Visa problems upon entering the United States. This year, the lucky recipient seems to be Edinson Volquez.

The U.S. government has yet to approve Volquez’s work visa. The right-hander, who is from the Dominican Republic, is in the country on a traveler’s visa but it does not permit him to perform in games in front of paying customers.

Because of that, Volquez will not start today’s spring opener against the Cleveland Indians as originally planned. Instead, Matt Maloney, who’s competing for a bullpen spot, will get the chance to impress. Volquez will continue working out and likely pitch in minor league games until the Visa issues are cleared up. Hopefully, that will be soon, but no one knows when it may happen.

“It’s up to the government,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “He can stay here until it’s approved and when it’s approved, we’ll send him back [to big league games].”

As long as it’s by opening day.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jonny Gomes started some controversy following news of the elbow injury to St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright yesterday. According to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, he heard Gomes happily singing, “Wainwright’s gone! Wainwright’s gone!” Mention of this has since been removed from McCoy’s post.

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Reds beat reporter John Fay had a different take on events.

Gomes walked out of the players dining room singing the Karate Kid song: ”You’re the best around. I’ll never let you down . . .”

He continued and mentioned Adam Wainwright. Gomes said he sang “Is Wainwright gone?

Fay then says he didn’t remember what Gomes sang, but obviously he didn’t find it news- or quote-worthy. In fact, when Fay interviewed Gomes later, he said, “I would never wish injury on anyone. If he’s hurt, I wish him a speedy recovery. I know Wainwright. He’s a good dude. It’s a great organization.”

What’s interesting about this story is the firestorm it created online, especially on Twitter. It seems Cardinals fans don’t like opponents being happy when their best player gets a season-ending boo-boo. Sampling the comments on McCoy’s article gives an overview of the vitriol.

“Garbage. That’s what the whole Reds organization is.”

“The Reds can take pleasure in Wainright’s injury. But that won’t change the fact that they are a band of losers.”

“What a piece of garbage Gomes is for being happy about the injury of another player.”

I don’t get it. This doesn’t sound like the “best fans in baseball” to me. Assuming Gomes did say what McCoy quoted him as saying, isn’t that a sign of respect? It’s acknowledging that Wainwright is a very, very good pitcher. I understand the disappointment of losing one of your favorite team’s best players to injury. I followed the Reds when Ken Griffey Jr was there, after all. But the angry verbal attacks from Cardinals fans against the Reds is worse than what they purport to be offended by.

Overall, I think the Cardinals fans have gotten too used to winning to know how to lose. I think that Brandon Phillips’ comments about the Cardinals from last year ring more and more true. “All they do is bitch and moan about everything, all of them, they’re little bitches, all of ‘em.” It certainly applies to a good portion of Cardinals fans right now.

Apparently inspired by the early start to the season, the Dusty Baker and the Reds have gone ahead and announced the Opening Day starter before there have even been any spring training games, per se. From John Fay:

“After much deliberation and talking to the guys, after talking to Bryan (Price), we’re going to open with Volquez,” Baker said.

Bronson Arroyo will start the second game, followed by Johnny Cueto in Game 3.

“You want to go hard, soft,” Baker said. “You want to break up Volqie and Cueto. You don’t want them to try to out radar-gun each other. Whoever the fifth starter is going to be — other than Homer (Bailey) — is going to be softer. If Bronson is No. 1, you’ve got two softer guys back-to-back.”

Here at RHM we’ve had our share of fun at Arroyo’s expense, but in all seriousness, he’s an innings-eater, not the number 1, which pretty much did leave it down to Volquez or Cueto (or the mystery number 1 that I kept hoping Jocketty would surprise us with), so I guess there wasn’t much point in waiting. Plus, there’s the bonus of:

• Letting Volquez get used to the idea
• Letting all the pitchers just get ready and not worry about it (except the ones competing for 4 and 5, of course)
• Letting Opening Day activity planners put in their order for a parade float featuring a bust of Volquez made entirely of carnations

And getting the fans all the more excited about the end of this dreary snow and the beginning of baseball season. Good luck, Volquie!

Reds Star Outfielder Jay Bruce to Host Second Annual Youth Baseball Camp

CINCINNATI, OHIO – Cincinnati Reds Star Outfielder Jay Bruce announces details for his second annual youth baseball camp. The Jay Bruce Baseball Camp presented by CBTS and Fifth Third Bank in partnership with the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is scheduled for July 25-26 at Prasco Park from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Once again, Jay will be on site for both days to direct the activities of the camp and provide instruction. The camp features several of the top prep and collegiate coaches from the Cincinnati area and is open to boys and girls ages 6 to 14.

Campers experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills and the team concept of baseball. Individual groups are small to assure each camper gets maximum personalized instruction.

Campers receive an autographed camp team photo with Jay, a camp T-shirt, camp goodie bag and the opportunity to win additional contests and prizes. The cost of the camp is $174.

Additional camp partners include Fox Sports Ohio.

Campers are encouraged to register early, as spots are limited.

Additional information and registration is available at www.JayBruceCamp.com or call 888-389-CAMP(2267).