Benson, Shaw among Reds' latest cuts; will start year in Triple-A

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Outfielder Will Benson was a breakout hitter for the Reds in 2023 who was unable to repeat his production last season. On Saturday, Benson was among the six cuts Cincinnati made to its Spring Training roster.

The Reds optioned Benson to Triple-A Louisville. In 13 Cactus League games, he batted .200 (5-for-25) with two home runs but also had 10 strikeouts and four walks.

“He knows and we know there’s a good player in there. For what we’re going to be doing when we break camp as a part-time player, I don’t know if he’s going to find it that way," Reds manager Terry Francona said.

A member of the Guardians with Francona previously, Benson was traded to the Reds on Feb. 8, 2023, for two Minor League players. In 108 games that season for Cincinnati, he batted .275 with an .863 OPS, 11 homers and 31 RBIs over 108 games.

Despite struggling, Benson remained on the big league club the entire '24 season. He batted .187 with a .650 OPS, 14 homers and 43 RBIs in 128 games. The number that stood out most was his strikeout rate.

Benson struck out 128 times in 388 plate appearances -- just under 40 percent of the time -- compared to 103 times in 329 plate appearances (31 percent) last season.

"Going and getting solid repetition at Triple-A, it’s helped him before," Francona said. "We hope it’ll do it again. He’s not going to shortchange you on effort or attitude or anything. He’s what you’re looking for. He's worked on some swing adjustments. We want him to just kind of get more consistent with that.”

Shaw to report to Louisville
Also cut on Saturday were non-roster right-handed pitchers Albert Abreu, Zach Maxwell, Chase Petty, Bryan Shaw and Lenny Torres. All were reassigned to the Minor League camp.

A bullpen favorite of Francona's in Cleveland, Shaw signed to a Minor League contract with Cincinnati in the offseason. He had a 4.05 ERA in seven spring appearances but had more walks (9) than strikeouts (7) over 6 2/3 innings.

Shaw, 37, told Francona he would go to Louisville.

“He wants to stay," Francona said. "The guy has pitched 16 years. I’ve seen him have springs like this and then he goes out and throws in 81 games and faces the middle of the order all the time. That just wasn’t the position he was in this spring and he’s inconsistent with the strike zone. His stuff is still fine. And we were thrilled he wants to go to Triple-A. He can still do it.”

Greene feeling good
In his fifth spring start, Hunter Greene pitched four innings vs. the Royals and allowed two earned runs and five hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Greene threw 74 pitches, including 49 strikes, during the 13-7 defeat.

“I felt good. Two runs, but I thought I made great pitches," Greene said. "A couple of not-hard-hit balls. … Other than that, pitches were great.”

Greene has one more spring start before he takes the mound as Cincinnati's scheduled Opening Day starter on March 27 vs. the Giants.

“It’s exciting," he said. "It’s just making sure I’m putting myself in the best position possible for that day.”

Díaz struggles
After Greene departed, closer Alexis Díaz pitched the top of the fifth and struggled mightily with five earned runs, three hits and three walks over a third of an inning with one strikeout. The rally included a walk with the bases loaded.

Díaz, who got a later start into games this spring after feeling something in his hamstring during early camp drills, hasn't had a clean Cactus League inning so far.

“It’s his third outing. Certainly, we’ve got to lock it in here. We’ve got about another week," Francona said.

After Díaz gave up a one-out single for another run, Francona visited the mound with the trainer because the right-hander was bleeding.

“It was on the top of his thumb," Francona said. "I think maybe his nail was hitting it and he kept wiping the blood on his pants. The umpires, I think during the season, would make him come out of the game. I said, ‘Look, he’s got one more hitter.’ They’re like, ‘All right.’ They were actually really good about it.”

Díaz remained and walked his next batter before exiting. Francona didn't blame the thumb for his pitcher's troubles.

“I don’t think it had anything to do with it," Francona said.