Today was the first workout for all of the Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers. And as evidence, John Fay has a picture of them stretching.

Fay also had the chance to talk to Reds manager Dusty Baker about the starting rotation. Unlike in years past, there won’t be a huge audition for roles.

Dusty Baker said the Reds will only get “seven or eight” pitchers ready as starters.

“That’s early,” Baker said. “Then you start cutting back once you decide. Health is a big issue here. You hope it doesn’t come into play, but it usually does. The better shape they’re in less chance for injury.”

It sure is nice to have the days of the open casting call for the pitching staff be over. Those seven or eight pitchers Baker mentioned have to be Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Travis Wood, Mike Leake, Sam LeCure, and Matt Maloney. Any combination of those five is better than what the Reds have sent out for so long. It’s so nice to have the opposite problem for a change.

In addition, Baker also mentioned Dontrelle Willis, who has looked good in early workouts so far. I’m not sure where the Dontrelle Train will lead, but if he could find an unopened bottle or two of that awesome-sauce he had earlier in his career, the Reds pitching glut problem would continue to be a happy problem.

At long last, the day has arrived: the Reds’ pitchers and catchers have arrived at the spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. Baseball is upon us!

Like you, I wish I were taking my own photos of a view of the pitchers and catchers dancing slightly obscured by Dusty Baker’s backside, but for now we’ll have to be appreciative of the second-hand accounts offered by the Internets. Like this tidbit from John Fay:

Good morning from Goodyear, where it’s a bone-chilling 51 degrees. Sorry, had to do it.

John, it was 57 today in Indianapolis. I drove home from work today with my coat discarded and forgotten in the other seat and the sunroof open. Apologize for a job that has you running around spring training camps instead of stressing out about software releases if you like–I know I certainly resent it–but the groundhog was right and there’s no need to apologize for your 51.

Now let’s get on with some baseball.

Pitches and catchers reported today.

The Chicago Cubs beat all the other National League Central teams to the start of Spring Training by having pitchers and catchers report today.

The Pittsburgh Pirates start tomorrow, but I somehow doubt that the extra day or two will help either team all that much. Although I do expect the Pirates to win more than 57 games this year.

But this is the week it all begins. And in just two weeks, the Cincinnati Reds will play their first exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians.

I saw this article linked to by Cincinnati.com today about Aaron Harang and his attempts to resurrect his career with the San Diego Padres.

Harang signed a one-year, $4 million deal this off-season to pitch in the spacious PetCo Park and hope to return to his awesome, winning ways of 2006 and 2007. He’s only 32 years old, so there’s likely some talent left in his tank. What better place than where he grew up and lives?

Born in San Diego, raised in Allied Gardens, a phenom at Patrick Henry High, a star at SDSU, Harang is as glued to San Diego as night and morning low clouds. During a 12-year professional baseball career, Harang always returned to San Diego in the offseason. The Del Cerro home he bought in 2003 and still lives in is about a 3-wood from his old stamping grounds.

After the great years with the Cincinnati Reds, he was overused in a brief period in 2008 and was never the same. He was injured, but that never explained why he couldn’t quite get back on track.

“I feel like I’ve never been able to get back to the consistent, repetitive mechanics that I had,” [Harang] said. “The last couple of years have been, ‘Try this, try that. Move your arm angle out a little.’

“I’ve had a couple of my old coaches call me, asking, ‘What are you doing? You had so much success before doing the same thing. Now, all of a sudden, you’re turning your back on that?’

“I got away from my main thing, which is throwing my fastball (primarily) and throwing everything off that. I got to thinking I’m going to trick people and it just didn’t work.”

I’m hoping for a great showing from Harang. He was my favorite player on those terrible teams in the 200s, and I’d love to see these last few years as nothing more than a bump in the road for him.

Run support, bullpen support, defensive support, all are baseball measurables. But what role does happiness in your environment play in an athlete’s success? With Harang, we may be about to find out.

“He is extremely excited,” said Harang’s wife, Jennifer.

The couple have a 4-year-old daughter, Addison, and 8-week-old twins, Dustin and Kailey. Baby sitters will be no problem. Both set of grandparents live nearby.

“I’ve always talked about it with Jennifer,” Harang said. “You gotta jump at the chance to be able to stay at home.”

Read the whole article. If you’re a fan of Harang, it’s worth your while.

Fox Sports Ohio has announced their television plans for Spring Training, and it includes more than in 2010.

As the Cincinnati Reds enter their second Spring Training at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona, FOX Sports Ohio invites fans to join us on a “March to Opening Day” by televising four (4) Reds Spring Training games this preseason, beginning with March 7th when the Reds take on the Milwaukee Brewers at 3pm EST in Goodyear. A complete Spring Training TV schedule is below.

Several members of the FOX Sports Ohio’s Reds broadcast team will play a role throughout the network’s television coverage of Reds Spring Training. Thom Brennaman will split play by play duties with Jim Kelch, each calling two games. Color analyst Chris Welsh will call three games while Jeff Brantley will do one game. Jeff Piecoro and Jim Day will also share the role of sideline reporter.
For the March 7th game, FOX Sports Ohio will share the game telecast with the Brewers’ TV home FOX Sports North. During the game, Brennaman and Welsh will share the booth with FOX Sports North’s announcers.

And here’s the schedule.

Less than a month to go before new Cincinnati Reds games will be available. I can’t wait!