TAMPA, Fla. - Yonder Alonso received a nice parting gift before he transferred his gear from the Cincinnati Reds majorleague clubhouse to the minor-league clubhouse.
A fan gave him the Baseball he hit Monday for his first spring training home run - and asked for nothing in return. Alonso wasn't around when the fan handed over the ball and said, "If I had been there, I would have given him a bat or something."
Alonso, the Reds' No. 1 draft pick last June, was one of seven players cut from big-league camp Tuesday, March 10. Two other No. 1 picks, outfielder Drew Stubbs (2006) and catcher Devon Mesoraco (2007) were among those cut.
Also sent to minorleague camp for reassignment (Alonso was sent to Class AA Carolina) were catcher Humberto Cota, catcher Chris Denove, infielder Todd Frazier and infielder Chris Valaika.
"All good players, all good people," said manager Dusty Baker. "No problems. They worked hard. At-bats are going to get tight now, but all had a good look-see, especially for some being in their first big-league camps."
Votto is back
Joey Votto's Canada team was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, but he probably won't be back in the lineup until Friday.
"He called and left a message," said Baker, "but I'm probably going to give him a couple of days off. With the travel and his family stuff I'm sure he's exhausted."
The Reds host the Astros at Sarasota today, but are off Thursday.
Edwin returns
After missing two games with a sore hand, Edwin Encarnacion was back in Tuesday's lineup.
"I took batting practice (Monday) and had no pain," he said. "I did it checking my swing, then made it worse trying to swing inside the ball.
"I did the same thing last spring, but it will be OK," he added.
The little guy
Quietly, soft-tossing Daniel Ray Herrera, the jockey-sized left-hander, is getting everybody out.
In three appearances, he has retired nine of 10 batters over three innings, giving up one hit while walking none and striking out four.
He's the guy who walked into the clubhouse last year after a call-up in June from Class AAA Louisville and Ken Griffey Jr. said, "Hey, didn't I just see you riding in the Preakness?"
Quote of the day
"I've been in my office eight hours a day for days dealing with the A-Rod stuff. Now I need a doctor. A head doctor." - Yankees GM Brian Cashman.
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