Wood takes big step in Triple-A rehab outing

CINCINNATI -- In a big step during his long process to return from lower back spasms, Reds starter Alex Wood began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Saturday night.

During a 7-2 Louisville loss at Columbus, Wood threw 31 pitches over 1 1/3 innings with one earned run, two hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

“Nothing really stood out. Being back on the mound for a real game, the good news was he’s feeling healthy,” Reds manager David Bell said on Sunday. “The first time out it’s less about results and performance and more about how he felt, and he felt great.”

Wood hadn’t pitched in a game since Feb. 25 during Spring Training because of his back injury. There have been multiple setbacks during his rehab in the months since, so the Reds are taking a deliberate approach of focusing on literally one game at a time.

Therefore, the next step for Wood has not been determined, but he will likely need multiple starts before he can be activated from the 60-day injured list.

“We don’t know. We’ve got to talk about that today,” Bell said.

Post-break rotation not set

Bell and pitching coach Derek Johnson have not been able to set the Reds’ rotation coming out of the All-Star break -- especially with starters Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray going to Cleveland as All-Stars.

Bell and Johnson thought they had a plan in place, but Gray being tabbed as an NL All-Star late Saturday night added a complication. Gray was slated to pitch either the first or second game this coming weekend at Colorado.

“Now we have to change it,” Bell said. “Hopefully, they both pitch in the game. I’d like to get confirmation on that. I’d like a better idea if they’re going to pitch in the game. I expect that they will. Once I get that information, we can adjust.”

1956 uniforms special for Bell

As part of their season-long celebration of their 150th anniversary, the Reds went with 1956 road throwback uniforms. It meant more to Bell than anyone since his grandfather, Gus Bell, played in similar uniforms for the Reds from 1953-61.

“When I saw that go up in our locker room -- I didn’t realize that’s what we were wearing today -- that’s the one that I’m used to seeing because he was on those teams,” Bell said.