July 2011 - Cincinnati Reds Wiretap

The Reds have reassigned left-hander Dontrelle Willis and outfielder Jeremy Hermida to their minor league camp. Willis, who agreed to a minor league deal in November, was trying to win a spot in Cincinnati's bullpen but walked 11 in 9 2/3 innings this spring. Hermida hit .342 with three homers and six RBIs this spring, but was trying to win a roster spot as a non-roster player.

Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who has been ill for nearly two weeks, was diagnosed with mononucleosis Friday, according to an ESPN.com report. Arroyo has been suffering from a cough and flulike symptoms, and chest X-rays and blood tests taken Thursday revealed he had mono. The original concern was that he might have valley fever, a fungal infection found in desert regions of the Southwest.

Reds starter Homer Bailey will be placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a right shoulder impingement. Bailey will be shut down from throwing for a week and is expected to miss at least two starts. "It's something he could have pitched with, but it would have lingered through the year," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "He feels fine and he's pitching fine. But in certain areas when he gets his arm back so far, he can feel a little something. So it's best to shut him down."

Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo has been tested for a fungal infection in his lungs. The right-hander has been sick for more than 10 days with flulike symptoms. Cincinnati said Friday that he's gotten blood tests and chest X-rays to see if he has valley fever, a fungal infection found in desert regions of the Southwest. The fungus is released from the soil and inhaled. The disease is treated with rest and drugs.

Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman is more comfortable entering the 2011 season after getting some big-league experience last year. Because of that, he's ready for big things. "I think the little experience I had last year and what has happened so far here has got me more experience," Chapman said through an interpreter. "I definitely feel more confident. I've been able to work better on the field. Since Spring Training started, I've been feeling better and better every day. ... Yes, I feel ready. Like everybody else, we are ready to start the season now." In those 15 big league games out of the Cincinnati bullpen last season, Chapman was 2-2 with a 2.03 ERA, five walks and 19 strikeouts over 13 1/3 innings. "I think he works very hard and he gets very prepared," catcher Ramon Hernandez said. "This is a guy that knows what he's doing. He's always trying to work out and is on top of his stuff to get prepared for the game. I think he can be better. That's what you work for, to be the best you can be. Now he knows the league a little better, and the hitters [as well]."

The Reds will be without Johnny Cueto to begin the 2011 season. The right-hander is dealing with an inflamed pitching shoulder. He had to leave his last two spring training starts because of soreness in his right arm. "Everything is structurally fine," general manager Walt Jocketty said Monday. "Dr. Timothy Kremchek recommended that he not throw for a week to 10 days, then begin a throwing program."

Johnny Cueto left the Reds' spring training game Saturday for the second straight outing, according to an ESPN.com report. The 25-year-old right-hander was set to pitch four or five innings, but he left after the first inning. He signed a four-year contract in January.

Cubs manager Mike Quade is taking a cautious approach with the sore left wrist of Carlos Zambrano and will use a designated hitter during the pitcher's fifth start of the spring on Friday, according to an ESPN.com report.

The Reds have a number of capable catchers, but they aren't necessarily looking to move any of them. They recently locked up Ryan Hanigan with a long-term extension and Cincinnati also has Ramon Hernandez, prospect Devin Mesoraco, veteran Corky Miller at Triple-A and last year's top pick Yasmani Grandal at Double-A. Teams have been calling about the seeming surplus. "It's a strength for us," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "I really don't want to take away from a strength. It can be very fragile."

The Reds and reserve catcher Ryan Hanigan have agreed to a three-year, $4 million deal. Hanigan will get a $300,000 signing bonus with a $450,000 salary for this year. Clauses can increase the overall value of the deal to $4.8 million. Negotiations had been ongoing for the last six months.