Cincinnati Reds: Major Updates from the Close of Spring Training

The Cincinnati Reds have one last spring training game (today at 3:05). I'm assuming an official release of the 25-man roster will be made shortly after, but for now, John Fay has kept us updated on the status of certain players.

Yesterday, Fay reported that Jeff Francis would be sent to AAA and could be called upon later in the season to work out of the bullpen. Today, Fay reports that Paul Janish was the last cut made and that Aroldis Chapman will begin the season in the bullpen.

These two tweets came across my feed in the last 20 minutes:

Chapman is in the bullpen. Baker: "He's a starter, a very good starter. But Billy Bray isn't ready to be late-inning lefty right now." #reds

Janish was the last cut. "Very tough decision," Baker said. "He was part of the family. He still is." #Reds

John Fay knows as much about the team as anybody so if he says that Chapman is in the bullpen, and Janish is going to be demoted then it should pretty much be considered gospel.

For now, it seems that Chapman will pitch out of the bullpen. My opinion though is that if Bailey falters again this year, Chapman will quickly be put into the rotation.

As for Janish, barring an injury, I doubt he will see much, if any, time with the organization until the rosters expand in September.

Although the news of Chapman going to the bullpen is big, there's bigger news coming out of Reds camp and that news comes again from John Fay, but also from MLBtraderumors.com.

You guys might want to take a seat before you hear this news, but Joey Votto and the Reds are nearing a multi-year extension.

This rumor was confirmed by John Fay who tweeted; Votto confirms that an extension is close. "I can't comment till it's done. You'll have to ask Walt. It's a gray area." #reds

I don't think I can emphasize how big a deal this is for the organization. Joey Votto is the cornerstone of the success the Reds have had the past few years and locking him up would be a major step in the right direction.

Keep checking back for more news on the Reds roster as we inch closer to Opening Day.