All Things Bubba

March 19, 2007: Detroit Tigers 6, Cincinnati Reds 2

More cuts were announced today. Pitchers Brian Shackelford and Brad Salmon were optioned to Triple-A. Paul Janish joined them after today's game. By my count, that makes 40 active players left in camp.

Bronson Arroyo started today, and didn't pitch all that well. He's been sick, though; the flu seems to be going around the Reds clubhouse. And the Tiggers' lineup is pretty danged good. (Sheff seemed to be the same old Sheff. Went yard off Arroyo in the 5th.)

Ever notice the Reds seem to play a lot better when Bubba's in the game? Just sayin'...

Norris Hopper ran into a wall and hurt his knee. No word yet on how serious the injury is, but he had to leave the game.

Trent reports that Narron has said that Griffey won't be starting in center field. I'm wondering if he'll be starting at all, at least on opening day. He still hasn't played a game of spring training...and they expect him to learn a new position?

UPDATE: The Dayton Daily News has more details. Griffey was given the chance to win the starting CFer job. But since he's been unable to play, they've decided he's starting in RF. When he's healthy enough to start.

Bubba is still on track to be back in the saddle on Wednesday:

Outfielders Ryan Freel (hamstring) and Bubba Crosby (calf) have worked out and could play if it were the regular season, but will likely return Wednesday.

Wednesday the Reds travel to Ft. Myers to face the Twinkies. Hide the ice cream! Taking the mound for the Twins will be former Yankee Sidney Ponson.

And Reds.com posted an "outfield report" video. Most of it is about Hamilton, Conine, etc., but there is a brief glimpse of Bubba. If you don't want to watch the whole video, Bubba's clip is here. Low-res as the clip is, I recognized him instantly. Just the way he moves - how many times have we seen him go up against the wall like that? (Well, that and the ears... ;-)