Reds vs. Giants - News - February 26, 2023 | FOX Sports

Joey Votto's bold 2023 MLB prediction: Aliens help Reds win World Series

MLB asked for bold 2023 predictions and Joey Votto delivered, saying that the arrival of aliens would help the Reds win the World Series.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Joey Votto's bold 2023 MLB prediction: Aliens help Reds win World Series

Jakob Junis - Likely to fill versatile role Junis is considered the Giants' seventh starter this spring, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Junis doesn't have a clearly defined role yet -- he could be a starter when injuries arise, a piggyback reliever or a more traditional multi-inning option out of the bullpen. The right-hander added 10-15 pounds of muscle in the offseason after battling shoulder and hamstring issues in 2022. Junis' best path to fantasy relevance is in the rotation, but he's never posted an ERA lower than 4.30 in any of his six seasons, so his appeal at age 30 is limited.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mauricio Llovera - Set to pitch Monday Llovera (elbow) is set to pitch in Monday's Cactus League game versus the Angels, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact Llovera is in Giants camp on a non-roster invitation after signing a minor-league contract in November. He was injured in mid-July and remained out for the rest of the 2022 season with a Grade 3 right flexor strain. The right-hander appears set to ramp up in line with the rest of the Giants' relief candidates, though he'll likely need an impressive spring to work his way back onto the 40-man roster.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Reynolds - Getting MRI Reynolds will undergo an MRI after leaving Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants with a quadriceps cramp, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Reynolds left in the fourth inning after shortly after picking up a single in his only at-bat of the game against San Francisco. The 32-year-old is attending camp as a non-roster invitee and is in contention for a reserve gig. He's battled back and knee soreness so far this spring, and his latest injury may further hinder his efforts to break camp with Cincinnati.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chad Pinder, a clubhouse leader in Oakland, hoping to carve role with Cincinnati Reds Former A's manager Bob Melvin on Chad Pinder: \

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • CINCINNATI.COM

Graham Ashcraft - Starting Wednesday Ashcraft will start Wednesday's Cactus League contest against the Athletics, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Ashcraft dealt with an ankle injury early in spring camp, but the right-hander was able to throw a bullpen without issue on Friday, and the 25-year-old will be on the bump against the A's on Wednesday. In his rookie season, Ashcraft posted a 4.89 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 71:31 K:BB over 105 innings of work. He's expected to pitch in the middle of the Cincinnati rotation to open the 2023 campaign.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Former Mets Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis plan to tear it up in San Francisco Conforto and Davis experienced a winning clubhouse culture with the 2019 Mets and forecast similar energy and success with the 2023 Giants.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM