It seems like the Cincinnati Reds have had a really healthy Spring Training, at least until this last week. This weeks has been rough, using up the team’s entire starting rotation depth.

Here’s where the team stands now.

• Bronson Arroyo’s “flu” has been diagnosed. This week, he was tested for something called Valley Fever, which sounds like an 80s California girl disease. The results came back negative, but doctors did decide Arroyo had mononucleosis. He plans on pitching through it by cutting out everything in his day except for pitching. “I’ll eliminate all my extra-curricular activities, which is a lot,” he said. “No golf. I’ll just come to park and go home and rest.” The disease can zap your energy level quickly, so it’ll have to go away quickly, I think, for Arroyo to perform at a high level this year.
• Homer Bailey is the latest starter to be placed on the disabled list. He has what is being called “shoulder impingement” and will be out two to four weeks. Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty thought it was an issue that Bailey could have pitched through, but since it’s so early, they decided to shut Bailey down and let it heal. It would be good for it not to be an issue during the season.
• Johnny Cueto was the first starter to go down. He has forearm pain, and all of Redsland fears he’ll end up missing the full season with Tommy John surgery. The jury’s still out on that one. Cueto’s on the disabled list, having been prescribed time off from pitching. Really, the Reds have no other choice. Hopefully, that will work.
• Ramon Hernandez remains day-to-day with his sore elbow. His arm seems to hurt for him when he throws the ball, which is a kind of important activity for a catcher.
• Scott Rolen was hit by a pitch on Thursday and hasn’t played a game since. At the time, he was unable to grip the bat for his next plate appearance. He has missed two straight games, and is likely to miss more.

It hasn’t been a good week to be a Reds pitcher. Opening Day is still about a week away, and the Reds rotation has been depleted. As it stands now, Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto are out, and Sam LeCure and Mike Leake are in. Hopefully, everybody else can manage to stay healthy between now and Thursday.

The Cincinnati Reds announced yesterday a contest for Opening Day tickets this weekend that will use their Twitter account. So you 5 Reds fans without Twitter accounts–you know who you are–better sign up if you want to make it to Opening Day without forking over an arm and a leg to scalpers.

CINCINNATI (March 24, 2011) – The Cincinnati Reds have created a “Hide and Tweet” scavenger hunt where clues to locations of Opening Day tickets will be released on the popular social networking web site Twitter on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27.

The Reds will be giving away four pairs of Opening Day tickets through four different scavenger hunts in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Fans can follow the Reds on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/cincinnatireds (@cincinnatireds) to find the street addresses of the clue locations.

The clues will be distributed by a Reds representative at three different retail stores each round and will lead to a final location in the Greater Cincinnati area where a pair of Opening Day tickets have been hidden.

Hide and Tweet #1, North – Saturday, March 26 – First location announced via Twitter at 9am – Second location announced at 11am – Third location announced at 1pm

Hide and Tweet #2, West – Saturday, March 26 – First location announced via Twitter at 2pm – Second location announced at 4pm – Third location announced at 6pm

Hide and Tweet #3, South (Northern Kentucky) – Sunday, March 27 – First location announced via Twitter at 10am – Second location announced at 12pm – Third location announced at 2pm hour.

Hide and Tweet #4, East – Sunday, March 27 – First location announced via Twitter at 3pm – Second location announced at 5pm – Third location announced at 7pm

The winners will be announced immediately on Twitter.

The Cincinnati Reds have put together an action-packed start to the 2011 season. The Red Hot Child will be quite happy to see that he’ll have a chance for more autographs on Opening Night.

The full details for the entire weekend follow.

Opening Day – Thursday, March 31, 2011 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 2:10 p.m. (Gates open at 11:40 a.m.)

• 92nd Findlay Market Opening Day Parade Grand Marshal: Hall of Famer Joe Morgan will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Findlay Market Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. Morgan will also serve as the Honorary Captain of the Opening Day game.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Retired Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
• National Anthem: Grammy nominee and R&B vocalist Brian McKnight will sing the National Anthem in three-part harmony with his sons Brian Jr. & Niko. McKnight has released 11 albums (seven of them platinum) and is best known for his 1999 single “Back At One” that reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Sparky: A special tribute to Reds manager Sparky Anderson is planned for pregame ceremonies.
• MVP: Joey Votto will be recognized during pregame ceremonies for his 2010 National League MVP crown.
• Flyover: F-18 Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 131 at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach will perform a flyover during the National Anthem.
• America The Beautiful: 338th US Army Band will perform America the Beautiful during pregame ceremonies.
• God Bless America: Technical Sergeant Felita Rowe of the Air Force Band of Flight will perform God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch.
• Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Jive Records recording artists Cage the Elephant will sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
• Pregame Concerts: My Sister Sarah and Pete Wagner Dixieland Band will perform pregame concerts in the Fan Zone.
• Gates Open: Gates to Great American Ball Park will open at 11:40 p.m. (Reds batting practice ends at 12:20 p.m.)
• Rally Towels: All fans will receive a free rally towel, presented by Duke Energy, Kroger, Cincinnati Bell and Scotts.

Opening Night – Saturday, April 2, 2011 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 7:10 p.m. (Gates open at 5:10 p.m.)

• Players in the Fan Zone: Pregame meet and greet with current Reds players, Cirque du Soleil “OVO” performers, Reds House DJ “DJ Sab” and more in the Fan Zone from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• First Pitch: Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
• Fleece Blanket: The first 20,000 fans will receive a Reds Fleece Blanket, presented by Chiquita.
• Gold Gloves: 2010 NL Rawlings Gold Glove winners Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen will be recognized during pregame ceremonies.
• Rusty Griswolds: 80’s cover band The Rusty Griswolds will perform from a stage on the right field porch during inning breaks and after the game.
• Game Ball Delivery: The Budweiser Clydesdales will deliver the official game ball.
• Skydiving Team: Team Fastrax Skydiving Team will perform during pregame ceremonies.
• Fireworks: The Rusty Griswolds will play live during the post-game fireworks show featuring Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 1:10 p.m. (Gates open at 11:40 a.m.)

• Bark in the Park: Over 500 owners and their dogs will be at the ballpark for the first Bark in the Park for 2011. A limited number of “dog tickets” are still available at reds.com/dogday.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 – Reds Un-Cut: Live at the Aronoff delivered by DHL, 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)

Join the entire 2011 Cincinnati Reds roster, along with coaches and broadcasters, for a casual evening of fun and entertainment at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincinnati. The program will feature player interviews, game show elements and other surprises in a theater-style show. Tickets start at $25 and include a game ticket to the April 2 Opening Night game. Purchase tickets at reds.com/uncut.

Budweiser Clydesdales

The world-famous, eight-horse Budweiser Clydesdale hitch will make several appearances Opening Weekend, including:

• Thursday, March 31: Findlay Market Opening Day Parade
• Friday, April 1: Fountain Square Appearance at Noon
• Saturday, April 2: Stables open to the public 2 to 5 p.m.; Parade around ballpark at 6 p.m.; Game ball delivery.
• Sunday, April 3: Stables open to the public 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.