Mark Sheldon reported earlier this afternoon that the Cincinnati Reds have cut from big league spring training the following players and assigned them to minor league camp: RHP Drew Hayes, RHP Chien-Ming Wang, LHP Lee Hyde and INF Argenis Diaz.
None of the moves are that surprising. Argenis Diaz was hitting .190 in 21 at bats so far this spring. Chien-Ming Wang had a solid 3.86 ERA in seven innings without allowing a walk and with seven strikeouts. Drew Hayes had a 3.60 ERA in five innings but had 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. Lee Hyde is perhaps the biggest surprise given the bullpen issues that are currently going on. Hyde had a 1.42 ERA in 6.1 innings with two walks and five strikeouts.
Diaz was never truly competing for a spot on the roster and while the pitchers all had a small outside chance, they were down the totem pole on the depth chart. Even with solid numbers this spring, they weren’t able to climb over enough guys early on to stick around to the later parts of spring training as playing time begins to tighten up for guys who aren’t likely to be on the 25-man roster when camp breaks.