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A year later, Price has much more confidence. The Reds lost 4-3 Monday to the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park, but it was hardly the bullpen’s fault. Blake Wood gave up a run on two hits in the sixth thanks to a misplay in right field by Scott Schebler.
Drew Storen, Michael Lorenzen and Raisel Iglesias closed the game with three scoreless innings. Price provided an early glimpse of how he’ll use the bullpen, though it’s far from settled. There is no set closer, for example.
“You could see any number of mix-and-match bullpen scenarios,” Price said. “You could see Iglesias coming in one day with Lorenzen behind him to close or vice versa. We could see Storen, Wood and (Tony) Cingrani pitching in those late-game opportunities.”
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Iglesias had the best numbers of any Reds reliever a year ago, compiling a 2.53 ERA in 78 1/3 innings. Wood was solid in his first season with the club. He had a 3.99 ERA in 76 2/3 innings.
The biggest difference between the bullpen at the start of this season versus the start of last season is the presence of Iglesias and Lorenzen. Iglesias began 2016 as a starter, went on the disabled list and joined the bullpen when he returned in late June. Lorenzen began the season on the DL and didn’t pitch until June 24.
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“When we did get them back, they had a large impact,” Price said. “The opportunities created were there for Wood and Cingrani to establish themselves as major bullpen pieces. As tough as it was that first half, the benefit was the cream rose to the top. Cingrani had 17 saves, and Wood became a very reliable relief pitcher. In the aftermath, with Lorenzen and Iglesias, we learned they can become reliable bullpen pieces for us.”
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The Reds began this season with nine players in the bullpen. Eventually, they will go with eight relievers, Price said, and then seven.
Five relievers pitched Monday, including Barrett Astin, who made his big-league debut. Price will work hard to get Storen, Robert Stephenson, Wandy Peralta and Cody Reed into a game as soon as possible. The Reds return to action at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday against the Phillies and close their first homestand with a 12:35 p.m. Thursday game.
“We want to get everybody in the game,” Price said. “Not only do I want to get every relief pitcher in the game, I want to get every bench player a start in the first week.”
WEDNESDAY’S GAME
Phillies at Reds, 7:10 p.m., FS Ohio, 700, 1410
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