Last Game
Johnny Cueto fought through a tight back against the Rangers and thanks to the offense, managed to not get the loss. The Reds won in walk-off fashion 7-6.

Next Game
There are only 2 Spring Training games left for Cincinnati. The penultimate one is in Goodyear against Cleveland at 10:05pm EDT. Bronson Arroyo starts, followed by Jared Burton, Mike Lincoln, and Arthur Rhodes.

It’s Just a Flesh Wound
John Fay said it best, “So much for serious cuts.” For the last week, Baker and the Reds had been pointing to after the Vegas game as the time they would make a substantial move to get the roster from 40 to the Opening Day 25. Yesterday, they didn’t come close to that. The cuts were Carlos Fisher, Corky Miller, and nobody else.

The roster now stands at 38, which is 13 more than MLB allows. Lots of players will continue to stew with worry. Hopefully, no one gets any ulcers from this.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Of the 38 players left, Wladimir Balentien, Mike Lincoln, and Nick Masset are the ones without options.

Last Games
Yesterday was a split-squad affair for the Reds. It also featured two starts by the final two guys in the running for the 5th starter spot, Mike Leake and Travis Wood. Leake pitched first against the A’s and picked up the win, despite his lineup of backups behind him.

Wood traveled with most of the A-listers to Las Vegas for the evening game against the Dodgers. The offense seemed to respond to the trip, scoring 9 runs in the first 2 innings. There will no doubt be plenty of jokes about not wanting what happened in Vegas to stay in Vegas. Try not to get too irritated. As for Wood, he didn’t fare so well with the large lead. He started great, but struggled with his control in the 3rd and 4th innings. He received the win, but his final line was 4 innings, 3 runs, 5 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. He’s not giving Baker an easy decision between him and Leake.

Next Game
The Reds host the Texas Rangers in Goodyear at 4:05pm EDT. Johnny Cueto will start, and be followed by Carlos Fisher, Nick Masset, and Francisco Cordero.

This Cut is the Deepest
Neither Mike Leake nor Travis Wood may make the Opening Day roster, according to John Fay. The Reds will not need a 5th starter until April 11, and John Fay quotes Dusty Baker as saying, “(We might) carry another position player until then.”

Of course, this may just be Baker discovering another way to torture his players. He seems like such a nice guy. Who knew he was such a sadistic bastard? It’s either that or he’s incapable of making hard decisions. Clearly, he has no script for which players to keep like he does when he makes his lineups.

But today has been declared as the day when a huge chunk of the 36 players left in major league camp, so Baker will have to give up his childish games.

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
Aaron Harang’s last two starts haven’t been good. He ended the spring with a 9.88 ERA, but isn’t concerned. C. Trent Rosecrans talked to him about his performance.

I feel great, it’s the best I’ve felt in spring training, the outcome isn’t want you want, what you expect. It doesn’t count. It’s about getting ready for the long haul of the season. Overall I feel very comfortable with all the new stuff and mechanics. I feel like the ball is coming out really well. It’s a matter of taking it out and stretching it over the course of a game.

Last Game
Aaron Harang made his final start and wasn’t very good as the Reds lost to the Padres 7-5. Joey Votto continued his excellent batting, though, with 1 hit and 2 walks.

Next Games
The Reds play their final split-squad game of the Spring Training season, two games that will help decide whether Mike Leake or Travis Wood wins the 5th starter’s spot. In the afternoon, Leake starts against the A’s at 4:05pm EDT. He will be relieved by Aroldis Chapman and Micah Owings.

In the evening, the Reds will travel to Las Vegas where Wood will start against the Dodgers. Justin Lehr, Logan Ondrusek, and Kip Wells are also scheduled to pitch. Gametime is 10:05pm EDT, and this game will be broadcast by Fox Sports Ohio. Also, the Reds are expected to make several cuts after the game.

Chapmania Put to Rest. For Now
The Reds 5th starter will be a young, inexperienced rookie, but it won’t be Aroldis Chapman. Walt Jocketty indicated yesterday that Chapman’s injury has taken him out of the running. The next Chapman thing to speculate about? Which Reds minor league team will he be assigned to?

What to Say to Sound Smart at the Water Cooler
The St. Louis Cardinals named Chris Carpenter as the Opening Day starter against the Reds. Carpenter is obviously hoping this isn’t his only start, like last year.