GOODYEAR, Arizona – For a two-week stretch, it seemed like every Cincinnati Reds player and coach became sick. Several players were sent home.
Without an expanded 40-man roster last September, the Reds aren’t sure how they would’ve fielded a team when the flu spread throughout the clubhouse during a long road trip. There were days when a half-dozen players were unavailable to play.
It influenced the way the Reds approached sickness this spring. There are signs in English and Spanish throughout their spring training complex urging players to stay home if they feel sick and the club will arrange medical care.