Darnell McDonald News

This time of year, the headlines go to the big free-agent signings and the occasional blockbuster trade.

Mann oh Mann, what were they thinking? The Real McCoy Cincinnati Reds baseball news The Real McCoy Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team.

SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE : Earlier today the Reds released their 2010 spring training schedule for their first season at Goodyear Ballpark...see separate press release.

The Reds announced three minor roster moves on Monday, including agreeing to terms on a Minor League contract with utility man Wilkin Castillo.

The Reds want catcher Ramon Hernandez to return for 2010, but not for the $8.5 million figure his club option calls for, according to mlb.com. 'We're not going to pick up the option,' Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told mlb.com's Mark Sheldon on Friday.

The Major League offseason is not even one month old, but several Reds prospects and big league players have already started playing in fall and winter leagues.

Joey Votto had a solo homer and three runs batted in, as Cincinnati doubled up Pittsburgh, 8-4, at Great American Ball Park.

Sorry for the lateness of the recap. I fell asleep. You'd think the scintillating repartee in the game thread would have left me wide-eyed, but no.

Corky Miller hit a three-run home run to back a strong outing by Kip Wells as the Reds defeated the Marlins, 8-1, on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

Darnell McDonald homered during Cincinnati's three-run first Thursday and five pitchers made the lead stand up in a 3-2 decision over Florida.

Jay Bruce hit a two-run single in the Reds' three-run first inning, and Cincinnati held on to edge the Marlins, 3-2, in the opener of a four-game series.

Yes...but it is buried under the Wabash Tunnel Skybus blueprints. Owner Robert Castellini has installed a win-now team, going with a veteran manager in Dusty Baker and a veteran general manager in Walt Jocketty.

When it comes to calling for balls in the outfield, there is no diplomacy or democracy.

Drew Sutton's pinch-hit double off Cubs closer Carlos Marmol with two outs in the ninth inning broke a tie game and gave the Reds a 7-5 win against Chicago in the second of three games at Wrigley Field.

ATLANTA - Justin Lehr pitched six innings after tweaking his groin in last start and recorded a win.

Micah Owings . Even though Micah cannot possibly be a starter [reasons for this pending], he stepped up with two shutout innings of relief, then got the win by being hit in the head to drive in the winning run.

The Piratesa TM Jason Jaramillo a ' and few others a ' watch his RBI single Monday in Game 1 of a doubleheader.

Pirates right-hander Daniel McCutchen got two game balls Monday afternoon after making his major-league debut.

Brandon Phillips had three hits and three RBI Wednesday, leading Cincinnati to a 5-3 win over Pittsburgh, capping a four-game sweep.

For a dozen years outfielder Darnell McDonald has searched for baseball's Holy Grail, a permanent spot on a major-league team.