Good stuff from Francona I’ll post later. Basically said he took responsibility for not keeping Elly fresher. Be said the Reds, like 29 other teams, would love Schwarber but didn’t elaborate leaving that to Schwarber. Freddie Benavides spent time with Sal Stewart last week

More Pagan: "Given where I’m at in my career, there’s a few things that are really important to me. Cincinnati checks all of those boxes. I’m excited to be back.”

Story to come soon.

I just talked to Emilio Pagan, who agreed to a two-year $20 million contract with the Reds.

“What made it an easy decision was the people in Cincinnati, the coaching staff, the front office, the team. I thoroughly enjoyed the last two years. ... (1/2)

I’d be really, really surprised if this game starts on time. A fire alarm went off at the park just as Mark Mulder, the third of the three A’s being honored, walked up to the podium. Then the microphone went out. Wow… and then a ‘let’s go Oakland’ chant… we’re still waiting

Reds rookie Chase Burns will be activated Friday, manager Terry Francona said Wednesday. Burns was put on the IL with a Grade 1 right flexor strain on Aug. 15. He'll pitch out of the bullpen with restrictions

Oh, and baseball stuff... the tarp is down at GABP. Sigh.

I don't know if the Reds are done making trades, but I do know they're not done trying to make trades. We'll know in the next hour-and-a-half or so (a lot of trades become public after the 6 pm deadline)

Reds closer Alexis Díaz will start the season on the IL, Terry Francona said. Ian Gibaut and Graham Ashcraft will round out the team's bullpen

Important to note that Abbott didn't have a setback. Club just decided there wasn't enough time left and didn't want to be shorthanded on the roster in case something happened.

Spiers will start the fifth game of the season, which will give Opening Day starter Hunter Greene an extra day of rest.

Schultz: G Teven Jenkins to sign with the Browns.

Reds have selected 2B Cooper Bowman with their rule 5 draft pick