July 2011 - Cincinnati Reds Wiretap

Reds pitcher Mike Leake had his legal charges reduced from theft to unauthorized use of property on Friday. Leake was accepted into a diversion program. He pleaded guilty in Hamilton County Municipal Court to the reduced charge. The theft is a Misdemeanor 1, and the reduced charge is a Misdemeanor 4. Leake, 23, was arrested April 18 at the downtown Macy's and charged with theft, accused of stealing six T-shirts valued at $59.88. "I just need to apologize to the Reds, to the Castellinis, to Walt (Jocketty), to anyone in the office that I forgot, to the players and my family," Leake said. "I sincerely apologize to them for putting all this pressure on them and the drama that I've caused."

Mike Leake got razzed by a few fans during his first appearance since a shoplifting arrest, but ignored the nasty signs and gave the Reds a much-needed boost Thursday, going seven innings for a 7-4 victory over the Diamondbacks, according to an Associated Press report.

Reds pitcher Mike Leake will remain in the starting rotation despite his recent arrest for misdemeanor shoplifting. Leake was arrested on Monday afternoon at a downtown department store, accused of removing the tags from six T-shirts and trying to steal them. Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker decided to keep Leake as his starter for the final game of a series against Arizona on Thursday. "We talked about how he felt and could he handle the pressures of it, and he said yeah," Baker said. "Sometimes when you're in times of trouble, it's easier to go to work than to not go to work. "I remember when Pete Rose was having problems at home -- his dad passed -- I asked Pete how he was dealing with it. He said those three or four hours at the park were a sanctuary from his problems. When the game was over, the same problems were there. So hopefully this will be a sanctuary from what transpired this week."

Reds left-hander Aroldis Chapman threw a pitch on Monday night that registered 106 mph on the scoreboard, but was clocked at 103 on another pitch tracker. "He was rested," manager Dusty Baker said. "When you throw 106 miles an hour, not a whole bunch is wrong with you." Chapman had been shut down for three days with some mild shoulder inflammation. "We've got such a long way to go," Baker said. "I'm not going to take any unnecessary chances and push them."

Reds pitcher Mike Leake was arrested on a shoplifting charge at a downtown department store Monday, accused of trying to steal six shirts with a total value of $59.88. The 23-year-old starter was booked at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a first-degree misdemeanor charge of shoplifting. It carries a maximum of 180 days in jail. He was arrested about two hours before Cincinnati pitchers were expected at Great American Ball Park to take batting practice before the final game of a series against Pittsburgh.

Brandon Phillips wasn't happy with Reds manager Dusty Baker's decision to sit him on Sunday. The All-Star second baseman has missed three consecutive games with a groin injury. "Ask Dusty," Phillips said, declining further comment, when asked why he wasn't in the lineup. Reds manager Dusty Baker is being cautious with Phillips, who was hurt when he planted and threw in the eighth inning last Wednesday. "He's getting better. We don't have to rush him back," Baker said. "We don't think we have to DL him, either. This (cold) weather isn't helping."

Johnny Cueto could be back in Cincinnati's rotation by the end of the month. Cueto threw 55 pitches for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, showing good control in his first game since spring training. He opened the season on the disabled list with shoulder issues. "It felt good -- no pain, no nothing," Cueto said Sunday.

Mat Latos will make his 2011 debut when the Padres face the Reds on Monday at Petco Park. Latos, 23, suffered from shoulder bursitis in spring training and started the season on the disabled list. "It's time to get him back on the horse," San Diego manager Bud Black said of Latos, who went 14-10 with a 2.92 ERA in 2010, his first full season in the Majors. "He feels ready. ... I think he's excited for his first start of the year."

Reds pitchers Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto are continuing to progress from their shoulder problems. Bailey threw his first bullpen session on Thursday. Cueto is scheduled to throw two innings or 35 pitches Monday. Bailey is scheduled to throw three innings or 50 pitches Tuesday. The pair will rejoin the Reds on Wednesday.

The Reds beat the Astros 8-2 on Tuesday to move to 4-0 on the young season. They haven't started off a season with four wins in 21 years. In 1990, they went on to win the World Series after beginning the season 9-0. "You get off to a good start and try to keep the momentum going and keep winning," Chris Heisey said. "I'll say we're probably going to lose a game before long, but if we go 162-0, we'll be making some serious headlines." The defending NL Central champions have showed a lot of confidence in their first four. "Remember I said that whatever we sold last year was going to be an easier sell this year because of the results," manager Dusty Baker said.