Quick Hits: Straily, Smith, Former Players

The Reds are considering moving Dan Straily into their rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. “We’ll have to take a look at Dan Straily with the job that he’s done. Unfortunately, we’ve had to utilize him in some games that have gotten out of control early,” says manager Bryan Price. “He’s done a really nice job managing those opportunities. So we’ll see how it goes.” Straily, who arrived near the beginning of the season on a waiver claim from the Padres, has fared well thus far in long relief (allowing three runs and four walks while striking out eight in 8 1/3 innings so far), and the Reds’ rotation has put pressure on the team’s bullpen so far with a number of short starts. The Reds are also dealing with a variety of rotation injuries, although one of their injured pitchers, Jon Moscot, will return Sunday to pitch against the Cardinals. Here’s more from around the game.

• Reliever Carson Smith appears to be getting closer to joining the Red Sox, writes WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. Smith, who’s had a right flexor mass strain in his elbow, hasn’t yet made his debut with his new club after arriving via an offseason trade with the Mariners. But manager John Farrell says Smith threw 35 pitches of live batting practice today without incident, and could appear in an extended spring training game by next weekend. That could put him in position to join the Red Sox’ bullpen by the end of the month.
• Players union head Tony Clark is frustrated that the lack of opportunities for former players, and especially minority players, to find jobs with teams, the AP reports. Clark would like MLB to start a program to prepare players for careers after their playing careers are over. The program would include college scholarships for minor-leaguers, a database of minority players, and a coaching school, as well as courses about baseball analytics and business practices. It would be funded by taxes on international amateur signing bonuses. Part of Clark’s concern arises from a change in MLB front offices, which are suddenly heavily populated by graduates of Ivy League schools who might have perspectives that are similar to one another. Increasing front-office focus on analytics could also potentially decrease opportunities for former players to have jobs within the game. “Diversity offers a different vantage point, different experiences, different realizations that inevitably can help move the industry forward, “says Clark. “… [I]t simply suggests our industry has missed opportunities as the result of the backgrounds and engagements therein being so similar.”