GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Amir Garrett was very determined to make the Reds' rotation, and he was moved Tuesday when he finally learned from manager Bryan Price that he did. When Cincinnati set its rotation, its No. 2 prospect was named as one of the five starters.
"I was filled with a lot of emotions. It meant a lot," Garrett said. "As soon as [Price] told me, I immediately started tearing up because my life just flashed in front of my eyes -- where I started to where I am now. I worked my butt off this offseason and came into camp motivated. I felt like I had a pretty good camp until my last outing. I felt like I gave it my all. There was opportunity and I took advantage."

Garrett, 24, was 3-1 with a 4.22 ERA in six games this spring, but his ERA elevated with a six-run outing over five innings Saturday. He is one of seven rookies to make the Reds, the first time a Major League team had that many with a normal 25-man active roster since the D-backs in 2007. (The A's and Mariners both did that in 2012 but had 28-man rosters to open the season in Tokyo.)
Rookie Davis, just 23, also got the good news that he would be the No. 3 starter just ahead of Garrett in the rotation. Davis had a 4.02 ERA in five games but, like Garrett, had several impressive outings.
Davis was considered to have an outside chance when camp opened. Acquired in the Dec. 28, 2015, trade from the Yankees for Albertin Chapman, the 6-foot-5 right-hander was often injured at Double-A last season and had less effective velocity. He logged five games at Triple-A but didn't fare well.

"It's something I really put an emphasis on this offseason to not pay attention," Davis said of his chances going in. "It's what helped me more than anything, being able to compartmentalize things, especially here in camp. I continued to work every day. I never thought I was out of it. Even when I first got here, I wasn't sure what my velocity would be like. I was still going to compete for a job."
Besides his own performance to earn a job, circumstances also provided added opportunity for Davis. There was just one rotation spot open before camp, but the Reds lost both Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani to injuries to create two more spots.
"It's something I've been working for almost 24 years now. It hasn't set in yet," Davis said. "I think it will when I get there. I'm just trying to enjoy it. I'm enjoying with Amir, Cody [Reed] and Rob [Stephenson], guys I've gotten close with. It's a fun time here."

Circumstances also benefited catcher Stuart Turner to make a jump from Double-A to the Majors. First, Turner was a Rule 5 Draft pick by the Reds from the Twins in December. Once the Reds determined that Devin Mesoraco would not return in time to begin the season as he works his way back from hip and shoulder surgeries, the club needed a catcher to back up Tucker Barnhart. Turner beat out non-roster invite Rob Brantly for the job.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," Turner said. "It's something you dream about and play for, for a long time. It still hasn't sunk in. Over the last few days, you hear the rumblings, but I wanted to hear it from Bryan's mouth. To hear and be able to tell my family was great."