GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Reds' bullpen competition picture cleared up even more with recent developments as the club tries to make its final decisions.
On Wednesday, non-roster reliever Hagen Danner was reassigned to the Minor League camp. Another reliever, Kyle Nicolas -- who was acquired from the Pirates on March 4, but was away pitching for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic -- was told he would be optioned to Triple-A Louisville after Sunday's game, but he will remain in Arizona to get more reps.
Nicolas appeared in only two games during the WBC tournament.
“He just hasn’t pitched. Whenever everybody feels he is built up and ready, then we’ll make a decision where he goes.” Reds manager Terry Francona said.
On Tuesday, right-handed reliever Connor Phillips was told that he made the team. Because the club decided to carry No. 4 prospect Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson and have six starters to open the season, that means it will have a seven-man bullpen.
One open spot remains among lefty Sam Moll and right-handers Zach Maxwell (No. 19 prospect) and Luis Mey. Of those three, only Moll is out of Minor League options.
After outfielder Will Benson was also informed Tuesday that he made the club, the battle for the final two bench spots are among Dane Myers, JJ Bleday, Rece Hinds and non-roster invitee Nathaniel Lowe.
Nicolas working to catch up
Francona's conversation with Nicolas came just after his arrival to camp for the first time on Wednesday morning. The right-hander, who is scheduled to pitch for Cincinnati for the first time on Friday, appeared confident that he could get ready for the season quickly.
“I’m pretty diligent about my work," Nicolas said. "There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that goes throughout the day that a lot of people don’t see during the game. I was touching the mound every other day just to make sure I was still getting my work in, still being ready for the games. I don’t feel really too far behind. I feel pretty dialed in right now. I hope to keep that going now that I’m here in Arizona.”
Over multiple big league stints with Pittsburgh last season, Nicolas posted a 4.74 ERA in 31 appearances with a career-best 1.37 WHIP. He's a hard thrower with a fastball velocity that averaged 97.4 mph last season.
Nicolas, 27, wasn't even in Pirates camp since he had already joined Team Italy when he got word he was traded to Cincinnati for Tyler Callihan on March 4.
“We were at the Angels' Spring Training facility here in Arizona right after an exhibition game about to head to Houston for the first game. I got the call," Nicolas said. "We were about to load the bus to go to the airport. There was a lot of chaos going on for me in that moment, but that’s what happens in this game. You never expect things to happen and they happen. You kind of just roll with the punches and really just control what you can control.”
Nicolas enjoyed the tournament and even got to partake in Italy's now-famous dugout espresso machine.
“I got a couple of pulls," Nicolas said. "I didn’t hit any home runs, so unfortunately, I couldn’t get two kisses on the cheek from Vinnie [Pasquantino]. But pregame, the espresso shots were flowing. It was great vibes.”
Danner 'the highlight of camp'
Cutting Danner from the spring roster was a tough one for Francona after the right-hander pitched well throughout while he had a 3.12 ERA in nine appearances. He can now be bullpen depth at Triple-A.
After giving him the bad news, Francona wanted to make sure that Danner knew he had impressed.
“We wanted it to be a really good meeting because the kid did nothing to not make our club. And we told him that," Francona said. "He was non-roster and he’s got no [Minor League] options left. You add a kid like that on Opening Day and you run into a problem a week in. To his credit, he listened and understood. We just reminded him several times that he was the highlight of camp.”