Nate Jones makes Reds list, 5 others reassigned to “alternate list”

The Cincinnati Reds announced five roster moves on Saturday night, but most important was the announcement that the team promised to add right-handed reliever Nate Jones to the roster on or before opening day. Jones likely had an opt-out option, which he could have taken today, leaving the Reds the option of whether or not to add him to keep him close or perhaps allow him to pursue other opportunities.

For Nate Jones and the Reds, that’s something that’s out of the way for them. Jones has a 3.12 career ERA spanning his eight major league seasons from 2012-2019, all with the Chicago White Sox. Staying healthy has been a problem for the right-handed reliever. In his first two seasons, he appeared in 65 and 70 games, respectively. But in the six seasons since then, he only surpassed 20 appearances twice, and he only surpassed 35 appearances once, in 2016.

When it’s been on the mound, it’s been pretty good. From 2015-2019, Nate Jones has a 2.67 ERA in the majors. That spans 147 appearances and 141.2 innings. He only allowed 107 hits and 49 walks in that stretch, striking out 164 hitters along the way. It’s never been a problem for Northern Kentucky (and the NKU Norse alumnus), it’s been able to stay healthy enough to stay on the mound.

Occasionally in his career, he has been a strong ground ball pitcher, with three seasons exceeding 50% (including 2019). For his career, he averaged 97.3 MPH with his fastball, but in 2019 that dropped to 94.9. Earlier this spring, he was once again throwing 97, and last week he was sitting 95-97 MPH on intrasquad scrimmage. If he can stay healthy and be the type he’s always been, Nate Jones could be a great piece of the Cincinnati bullpen in 2020.

Reds reassign five to alternate list

There were five players on the player group roster who were moved to the “alternate roster” site, which will be at Prasco Park in Mason once the regular season begins. Infielders Derek Dietrich and Alfredo Rodríguez will head there, as will relievers Jesse Biddle, Alex Powers and Rubén Alaniz.

The two infielders are not a surprise. Derek Dietrich just arrived in Cincinnati this week after testing positive for COVID-19 and failing to join the team when they returned from the close of baseball. He was not expected to be ready for opening day. Alfredo Rodríguez hasn’t seen much playing time during practice games since the team started playing them, which gives you the idea that he wasn’t in contention for a place right now.

With the relievers it has been similar to the situation with Rodríguez: none of them had spent much time on the mound in practice games. Biddle and Powers pitched on Saturday, with Powers pitching a two-strikeout shutout inning. Biddle allowed a run on his excursion.

This was the second set of moves on the list this week. The starting roster of 58 players has been reduced by 11 in the past 48 hours. There are still 47 players vying for 30 spots on the opening day roster. Here’s who’s left: