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GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said Jonathan India will begin playing in spring training games around March 7 or 8.
India’s plantar fasciitis, which put him on the disabled list last year, appeared during the offseason. India has been working hard during spring training practices, but he will continue that work in a controlled environment as he returns before playing a game.
“He’ll have time to be ready for opening day,” Bell said. “He’s doing a lot. We’ll make sure it’s ready. The reason games get delayed is because we can’t control the workload on our feet as much. But he’s going to get a lot of live at-bats and stuff like that without running the bases. He will be ready from a baseball standpoint.”
India’s plantar fasciitis was torn during the offseason, preventing him from needing surgery. He cannot be reinjured, but may experience aggravation and is recovering through progression. Reliever Ian Gibaut has a pronator strain and won’t pitch for three to five days. “Nothing serious,” Bell said.
Tony Kemp increases depth in Reds squad
In 2022 and 2023, infielder Tony Kemp was the veteran leader of an Oakland Athletics team that had one of the worst rosters in the major leagues.
Kemp signed a minor league contract with the Reds on Friday. The only parallel he sees between his new team and his old team is the youth on both rosters.
“It was obviously a difficult few years,” Kemp said. “There was a lot of talk with the younger ones. But the most important thing here is that this team (the Reds) wants to win and is looking for championships and division titles. “That’s what you want to be a part of.”
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Kemp has been an everyday player for most of his eight-year career, but had his worst season in 2023, hitting .209 with a .607 OPS.
Kemp did not find a major league contract in free agency and joins the Reds midway through spring training. He is competing for a roster spot and gives the Reds more infield depth in the organization.
“I’m excited to be here,” Kemp said. “It is an exciting team with a lot of talent. I’m excited to get going. The most important thing that came to me is so many connections here. When you see these young guys, you want to have veteran presences around. What attracts me is that there are opportunities to grow here. Things will not always be as clear as one would like in the big leagues. Unfortunately, sometimes fights arise. “I want to help these young people and speak from experience.”
What first baseman Mike Ford brings to the Reds
The Cincinnati Reds continued to add to their organizational depth on Friday, signing first baseman Mike Ford to a minor league contract.
Last year, Ford was an above-average hitter for his position and played a role for a Seattle Mariners team competing for a playoff spot. In 83 major league games, Ford posted a .798 OPS and made hard contact at an impressive rate in a small sample size.
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“I locked myself in,” Ford said. “I want to be a complete hitter again. The power has been there. I stayed away from going to the opposite field. I can handle fastballs. The breaking ball has been kryptonite at times. I worked on that, getting a better bat path for those pitches. I’m excited to see where he goes.”
Ford joins a deep group of Reds infielders with MLB experience and minor league contracts. In addition to Ford and Kemp, the Reds have Josh Harrison, Erik González and Mark Mathias. Infield prospects Edwin Arroyo and Tyler Callihan are also in major league camp.
Reds first baseman Nick Martini, one of the team’s most clutch hitters last September, is also competing for the No. 26 spot on the roster and has a minor league option for 2024.
Ford faces an uphill climb to make the Opening Day roster, but he wasn’t worried about his fit with the organization.
“It’s a great team moving in the right direction,” Ford said. “I wanted to be part of this. I jumped on board. Let’s see what we can do. If I hit, I hope to be in the mix. Who knows? “It all comes down to the bat.”
