All Things Bubba

Well, Jay Bruce had pretty much a dream debut. I suppose hitting a home run or a grand slam would have been better, but few players have had the kind of first game he had: 3 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, a double, and a stolen base. Increíble.

But even with Bruce's magic (and a three-run dinger by Dunn), the Reds came uncomfortably close to letting it slip away. The Pirates scored three runs in the 9th, forcing Dusty to bring in his closer, Francisco Cordero. I'm afraid the Reds really aren't a very good team this year.

The roster move to make room for Bruce was to DFA Scott Hatteberg. This was a bit of a shock. Many expected Corey Patterson or Javier Valentin to be cut instead. Hatteberg was the team's most productive player last year. However, he's a lefty-hitting first baseman, and with Votto doing so well, he no longer had much of a role.

With Hatte gone, that might eventually open up a spot for Andy. A right-handed first baseman fits the needs of Reds better than the lefty Hatteberg.