--LHP Bill Bray, slowed by injuries for the third consecutive spring, threw 40 pitches in a simulated game March 4 to test his shoulder. He had been experiencing inflammation. Bray is expected to pitch in his first exhibition game Saturday against the Blue Jays.
--RHP Aaron Harang has shed 25 pounds after his 17-loss season. The 6-foot-7 Californian is at 253 pounds, "the lightest I've been since I signed my first professional contract," he said. --RHP Francisco Cordero has appeared three times this spring, an inning each, and has given up runs each time -- a total of six runs and nine hits over his three innings.
--INF Daryle Ward, OF Jonny Gomes, OF Jacque Jones, 1B Yonder Alonso and 1B Kevin Barker have all played first base in games since 1B Joey Votto joined the Canadian team for the World Baseball Classic, "As we look for somebody who can be Votto's backup during the season," said manager Dusty Baker.
--OF Darnell McDonald, a first-round pick by the Orioles in 1997, is trying to earn a job as a non-roster camp invitee. He played briefly for Baltimore in 2004 and Minnesota in 2007. His brother, Donzell McDonald, was drafted in the 22nd round by the Yankees in 1995 and played in 15 major league games before retiring.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Grand slams hit by the Reds in their first nine exhibition games, tops in the majors.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The game will return to speed in the post-steroids era." -- Manager Dusty Baker.
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