Carson Spiers

You don't see many 1-0 games in the Cactus League, but we got a pitchers duel in Peoria on Saturday. Machado blasted the solo homer off Carson Spiers in the seventh inning. The 32-year-old missed time with a back injury this spring, but he's now gone deep twice with a .433 slugging mark in Arizona.

The Reds named Carson Spiers as Andrew Abbott's rotation replacement today, so it's the bullpen or bust for Ashcraft. The Reds will probably carry him as a middle reliever, but they really ought to look at him as a short reliever, given that their current late-game options appear dreadful.

Carson Spiers will enter the season as the Cincinnati Reds' fifth starter and Andrew Abbott will go on the injured list, manager Terry Francona announced Thursday.

Reds manager Terry Francona provided members of the media, including Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, updates on the club’s pitching plans to start the season. Left-hander Andrew Abbott will start the season on the injured list. That will allow right-hander Carson Spiers to have a rotation spot to start the year. Meanwhile, righty Graham Ashcraft will…

Reds manager Terry Francona provided members of the media, including Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, updates on the club’s pitching plans to start the season. Left-hander Andrew Abbott will start the season on the injured list. That will allow right-hander Carson Spiers to have a rotation spot to start the year. Meanwhile, righty Graham Ashcraft will…