While our lovely and talented hostess, RHM, is in Sarasota hobnobbing with celebrities, soakin' up those nice warm rays, and groovin' to the music of Bronson Arroyo, somebody's gotta keep the news on this here weblog up to date. Therefore, without further delay:

P Brian Shackelford, IF William Bergolla, and IF Matt Kata have been optioned to Louisville today.

No surprises here. Shackelford never seemed to find command of his pitches all spring. Narron's harped about command all spring, so the writing's been on the wall for Brian, and now it's been his undoing. Kata came to the organization too late to have any real shot at making the parent club. Bergolla was destined for Louisville all along, but had to play in a game first - you can't option a guy when he's hurt, and Bergolla had the high groin sprain since February.

I see that the Marlins released former Red Lenny Harris today. If Krivsky signs him to a minor league contract, I'm going to explode.

- HMZ -

Looks like the Latin Love Machine is gonna be our opening day starter at catcher. LaRue apparently tore his meniscus, though it's not entirely clear when he did so. While it seems to be minor surgery right now, knee problems in a catcher are never a good thing. I don't think he'll start the season on the DL if he'll be out for only 4 or 5 games, but this does mean David Ross is almost assured of being on the roster opening day.

The latest round of Spring Training cuts happened yesterday. On their way to Louisville are Chris Denorfia, Justin Germano, and Michael Gosling. Jung Keun Bong was also kicked to the Minor League curb, er, I mean camp.

Aaron Harang is apparently ready to start the season. He had another superb outing Friday against the Devil Rays: Six innings, three strikeouts, four hits, one run (on an inside-the-park homer by Carl Crawford who's probably about the fastest player in the major leagues - Freel just missed throwing him out at the plate). No walks, which makes 14 consecutive innings he's pitched without walking a guy.

Burns and Coffey each pitched a scoreless inning. Belisle gave up two hits, two walks, and a run in the ninth before getting out of the jam with a popup for the final out. Kearns, Freel, and Ross had doubles for the Reds, and Freel stole two bases. Valentin had a pair of RBI singles.

As I'm posting this, the Reds are trailing the Twins 9-8 after eight innings of play. So far Griffey and LaRue have homered for the Reds, and Dunn has homered twice, but…

“Where's the pitching?”

Meanwhile, the Reds signed Alex Sanchez to a minor league contract. Yes, THAT Alex Sanchez. The first major leaguer ever to be suspended for steroid use is now property of the Reds. It may be a gamble, but it could pay off if Sanchez returns to form (see Giambi, Jason). At least the folks in Louisville should have a better team to watch this year, what with so many guys there with major league experience.

And that's the way it is this Saturday, March 25, 2006. I'm John, KC2HMZ. From all of us at RHM - GO REDS!

- HMZ -

Bobby Basham for David Ross, this time. Standridge DFA'd to make room on the 40-man for Ross. This has to be paving the way for either a LaRue or Valentin deal, or it makes absolutely no sense. Wait, scratch that. Even if one is traded, it makes absolutely no sense. Ross is a career .217/.288/.406 hitter with poor defense and the inability to do anything but hit the occasional homerun. So far he's failed as a catcher with the Dodgers, Pirates, and Padres, all within the last year. The man is simply not worthy of a major-league roster.

Of course, in acquiring him, Krivsky got rid of Basham, who showed a lot of promise in AA last year, and got rid of Standridge, who was competent at the major league level last year. He's not gonna get an amazing deal for LaRue or Javy, so this has to be chalked up as more idiocy from Krivsky. I long for the days of Dan O'Brien.

Wily Mo Pena has been traded to the Red Sox for Bronson Arroyo and cash.

HMZ