GOODYEAR, Ariz. — When spring training opened last month, Reds manager Bryan Price had a group of five pitchers competing for two spots. With another spot opened with the injury to Anthony DeSclafani, that competition has opened.
Originally in a second tier because of their lack of experience, three young starters with a combined four Triple-A starts have emerged as possibilities to leapfrog Louisville and start the season in Cincinnati — Rookie Davis, Luis Castillo and Sal Romano.
On the same day the Reds announced DeSclafani would likely miss the start of the season, those three pitched in big-league exhibitions, putting up a combined line of 8 2/3 innings, five hits, four runs, three earned runs, 10 strikeouts, three walks and two hit batters.