Reds March/April 2025 thread

[kevin]

Diaz close to coming back, but Reds have Pagan, and considering Ashcraft and others.  Terry Francona isn't just handing the Closer role to anybody, someone will have to earn it.  Ashcraft is doing well, so I wondered if a return to starting rotation possible, but Francona and coaches think he is better suited to the bullpen.  They are not ruling Ashcraft out as their Saves guy or at least their Holds guy.  On Holds, he is doing better than many in MLB so far in 2025.

Ashcraft helped nail the door shut tonight with 2 good innings.  Diaz on coming back will not be the Saves or Holds guy right at first, Francona wants to see Diaz earn that pitching in lesser roles. Francona would like too see Diaz pitch well enough to be the Closer, but he has to show Francona more than he did in Spring Training.