Bauer wants to pitch 'as much as possible' in '20

CINCINNATI -- Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer often thinks analytically, so it’s not surprising that he’s already done the math for the upcoming season of 60 games -- which is 102 games shorter than normal. It’s his final season ahead of becoming a first-time free agent.

“I don't feel the pressure in that sense, but every game is worth 2.7 games,” Bauer said. “Going out there and if you lose a game or have a bad first inning, like you may have just cost yourself 2.7 games, basically, or what would traditionally be 2.7 games. I love that importance, the higher stakes. I thrive in that environment.”

Bauer was acquired by the Reds from the Indians in a three-way trade on July 31 that sent Yasiel Puig and pitching prospect Scott Moss to Cleveland and elite outfield prospect Taylor Trammell to the Padres.

In 10 starts for the Reds after the trade, Bauer was 2-5 with a 6.39 ERA. Overall in 34 starts, he went 11-13 with a 4.48 ERA and experienced nagging injuries. The right-hander was a 2018 All-Star and posted a 2.21 ERA in 28 games.

Living up to the trade isn’t part of his equation as Bauer joins Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Anthony DeSclafani and Wade Miley on a formidable rotation.

“As far as justifying a trade or looking at free agency or whatever, that doesn't affect me,” Bauer said. “I want to pitch. That's what I care about, going out there and performing to the best of my ability and helping us win.”

Over much of the offseason and time off during baseball’s pause, Bauer was often outspoken on social media. But when he returned to a big league mound Monday following a 3 1/2-month hiatus, his pitching did all the talking for him. The 29-year-old was strong over three simulated innings of live batting practice against Tucker Barnhart, Joey Votto, Nick Senzel and Nick Castellanos.

“I'm really happy where I'm at, ready to go five or six [innings] right now,” Bauer said. “My skill set is built for a long season. I'm super durable, and I train that way to make it through a long season to be healthy and durable and throw a lot of pitches. I'm not as good in a sprint because I just haven't built myself that way, but obviously understanding that this season is going to be shorter, I've spent the last three months building myself more for the sprint.

“I feel like I'm in a good spot. My [velocity] is going to be up, hopefully, probably a mile an hour, hopefully more.”

Bauer had already thrown his final pitch Monday and got Castellanos to pop out. But feeling competitive, he told him to get back in the batter's box and threw one bonus pitch. Castellanos slugged it for a home run and Bauer had a good laugh when the right fielder did a big bat flip to punctuate the moment.

• 'Driven to win,' Castellanos a spark for Reds

“He obviously hit it way out,” Bauer said. “That was after I had already finished my session. There was one really loud contact.”

Reds manager David Bell watched Bauer pitch from behind screen near home plate and was quite encouraged.

“He looked completely prepared. You can tell that he's been working and competing this whole time, because he looked really as good as I've seen him,’ Bell said on Tuesday. “Obviously, it's not a true game situation, but guys were competing hard against him. I thought it was a good test for him. The velocity was there, all his pitches were working, so he's right on track.”

Bauer has been vocal about his desire to pitch every four days, especially during this unique season that opens July 24 vs. the Tigers. Pitching coach Derek Johnson said Saturday that option was “100 percent on the table.”

There are other scenarios that Johnson and Bell are exploring, and Bauer is hoping for some creativity in setting up the pitching staff.

“I've applied some friendly pressure to him, I guess is how you'd say it,” Bauer said of Johnson. “But basically, letting him know that I want to pitch as much as possible as often as possible. You don't have to worry about me wearing down over the course of a long season. We've got a two-month sprint and a month of playoffs. Generally speaking, that's right in the middle of the year on a normal year, where you're just starting to hit your peak before you hit that end of July, August lull. You don't have to worry about that this year. The more innings, the better. The more pitches, the better. As long as I'm doing well and helping us win, I want to be out there as much as possible.”