C. Trent Rosecrans

crosecrans@enquirer.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Reds manager Bryan Price announced his initial starting rotation on Monday and hopes to have his bullpen sured up soon, as well.

Price said the team will most likely go with eight relievers to start the season, but said it had not been decided if that will be at the expense of the team's bench or if they will have some roster mechanizations with the fifth (and yet to be determined) starter.

“We have some decisions we have to make, I think the sooner the better,” Price said. “It just depends on how close we are to being on the same page, collectively with these guys and looking at all different options.”

To Price, there are five pitchers at this point who have secured spots in the bullpen, but did not name them. J.J. Hoover is his closer, Ross Ohlendorf was signed Saturday to a big-league deal and left-hander Tony Cingrani has had a good spring and is expected to make it. Right-hander Jumbo Diaz should also make the roster.

Other than those four, there are nine other relievers left in camp: right-handers Caleb Cotham, Dayan Diaz, Drew Hayes, Ryan Mattheus, JC Ramirez, Keyvius Sampson, Pedro Villarreal and Blake Wood, along with left-hander Chris O’Grady.

Of those nine, only four (Cotham, Sampson, Wood and O’Grady) are on the 40-man roster. The Reds could have to make a move on the 40-man if Tim Melville is added to the roster to pitch on April 7, but could also use 40-man space for other non-roster players who make the team. The 40-man roster is currently at 39.

“I think the roster is an issue, as well, looking at roster spots and how we get there, based on how many guys we take in that group of non-roster players,” Price said.

Price said he doesn’t feel the final four games in Arizona will be used for evaluating roster spots, and he’d like to let the players who have made the team know.

“It doesn’t mean it won’t happen with a spot or so, but I don’t want to do that,” Price said. “There’s enough anxiety in here, you can see it in how certain guys are playing. I get it. … It would be kind of nice to finish here and get your last outing in knowing you’ve made the club, I think. I think they’re would be a benefit to that.”

Raisel Iglesias to start for Reds on Opening Day

PHILLIES ROTATION: The Phillies will start right-hander Jeremy Hellickson on Opening Day against Raisel Iglesias.

Aaron Nova will start the second game against the Reds’ Brandon Finnegan, while right-hander Charlie Morton will start the third game for the Phillies. The Reds’ starter for the Thursday game has not been determined.

Hellickson was 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA for the Diamondbacks last season. The Diamondbacks traded the 28-year-old to Philadelphia in November.

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VIRAL VOTTO: Joey Votto’s batter’s box routine during Sunday’s game against the Dodgers drew the attention of both the Dodgers’ broadcast crew and Twitter.

Votto didn’t step out of the box during his at-bats, and at times would lean on his bat between pitches. This became Votto’s second viral video in as many days. On Saturday, the video of him doing a LeBron James-like chalk clap before a game was caught on video by Reds media relations director Rob Butcher and became the talk of Twitter.

“Clearly we need a regular-season game,” Votto said when asked about his Sunday at-bat routine. “Holy cow, we need to play some baseball. This is just ridiculous.”

He also noted that Sunday wasn’t the first time he’s put his hands on his knees between pitches. He said he’s done it in regular-season games, but apparently nobody has noticed. He wouldn’t elaborate on his reasoning.

“I’m not being coy, I’d just rather not get into it,” Votto said. “Nothing good can come out of it for me.”

MOSCOT STARTS: The Reds are still hopeful right-hander Jon Moscot will be able to start on April 17 in St. Louis, the second time this season the team would need a fifth start.

Price was optimistic in part because of what he saw on Monday when Moscot threw two innings against the low-A team for the White Sox. Moscot allowed one hit and struck out three.

“He looked good. It’s only going to get better,” said Price, who was able to watch Moscot in the minor-league game because the Reds played a night game. “It’s evaluating against younger hitters but as far as a mechanical standpoint, letting it go and no signs of any issues from a physical standpoint, I thought it went very well.”

Moscot, who has been slowed by an intercostal strain, agreed.

“My side felt great, I’m not really feeling it anymore,” Moscot said. “I wanted to get back to throwing all four pitches and throwing strikes, and I was able to do that. Obviously I was throwing against low-A guys, but it’s nice to get in there against hitters and get a game feel.”