Notes: Antone update; Schrock tries first

Reds pitcher Tejay Antone has dealt with two nagging-type injuries in camp this year, but the hope is that neither will prevent him from beginning the season on time.

Antone left his March 14 start with a mild right groin strain. On Saturday during a bullpen session, he abruptly stopped because of a right hip flexor irritation unrelated to the groin injury.

“I was trying to be really aggressive with it, see if I could trust it again,” Antone said on Tuesday. “It was going well for the first 15 pitches. Kind of felt it a little bit. They just wanted to delay it, just so that I’m good to go in a game. But I think I’m close, very close. I think my next bullpen is Thursday. If everything goes as planned on Thursday, looks like I’ll be in a game on Sunday and then hopefully make this Opening Day roster.”

Antone, who underwent an MRI exam that diagnosed the hip injury, played catch and threw at distances of up to 150 feet with maximum effort. He also did some pitching from flat ground.

The Reds had Antone come to camp to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. But manager David Bell and pitching coach Derek Johnson felt Antone might be more effective this season in a bullpen role. Because the injuries have prevented him from building up his innings, opening 2021 as a reliever appears likely.

“It doesn’t seem like I’ll be in the starting role to start off, but that’s still a goal of mine,” Antone said. “Regardless, I want to be on the team for Opening Day and be ready to help this team in any way possible.”

Over two stints last season, Antone was 0-3, but he had a 2.80 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 13 games for Cincinnati that included four starts.

Besides Antone, Michael Lorenzen left his Saturday start with a slight strain in his right shoulder. Bell felt optimistic about both pitchers’ ability to return soon.

“There was a little concern, obviously, for both,” Bell said. “Everything I'm hearing and talking with them individually, everything is pointing in the right direction, that they could be back in a matter of days, and more importantly, there's a strong chance they'll be ready by next week, which is the most important thing.”

Schrock tries first base
Attempting to make the team as a utility player, Max Schrock found himself in unfamiliar territory on Sunday vs. the Cubs. Schrock started at first base, which marked the first time he had played that position.

“I just learned and asked a lot of questions. I still have a long way to go to get familiar over there, but it was awesome to get in there in a game,” Schrock said on Tuesday.

Schrock, 26, didn't have his own first baseman’s glove, so he got a loaner.

“Thankfully, Nicky Delmonico was kind enough to lend me his, and I have one en-route now,” Schrock said.

An offseason waiver claim from the Cubs, Schrock has enjoyed a strong camp for Cincinnati. He entered the day batting .429 (9-for-21) with two doubles and only three strikeouts.

“I told him at the end of the game that he did a good job over there,” Bell said. “Especially Spring Training, the best place to learn is in the game. He just hasn’t played over there much. We’ll keep getting him work, and when we can, get him into the game. It’s just nice to know that he can do that.”

A right calf injury suffered on March 10 vs. the Royals knocked out Schrock for over a week, but his groove hasn’t been disrupted at the plate.

“I didn’t really stop my throwing program,” said Schrock, who took over at first base from Kyle Farmer vs. the Padres in a 5-4 loss on Tuesday. “I continued to throw and was able to swing just a couple of days after it happened as well. As far as my arm and my swing, it didn’t really take off that much time. It was just the running and being on my feet as much as I’m normally accustomed to on a daily basis.”

Hembree signed
During Monday’s off-day, the Reds signed right-handed pitcher Heath Hembree to a Minor League contract and invited him to big league camp as a non-roster player.

Hembree, 32, had a 1.42 ERA in seven games with Cleveland this spring. A reliever, he has eight Major League seasons with the Giants, Red Sox and Phillies, with a 3.90 ERA over 271 career games.

“Obviously, a pitcher that's been added and had a lot of success and good experiences,” Bell said. “We've seen him a little bit. It's great to be able to bring him in at this point in camp and have him be a strong candidate, really. I think he kind of fits into a group of guys we have great options and making the right decisions this week is going to be an important step in putting the team together.”