3 years agoCincinnati Reds right-hander Lucas Sims (back) suffered from an illness and back spasms in the offseason that prevented him from ramping up his throwing program ahead of camp, and he will open the regular season on the injured list. Sims has started throwing off a mound in camp, but there are no plans to rush him for Opening Day, especially since he missed 39 games last year with an elbow injury. "Lucas is such a big part of our bullpen, we just have to have him healthy all the way. We can't do anything to risk that," manager David Bell said. The 27-year-old was the favorite to open the year as the Reds closer, but Cincinnati will likely open with a committee approach to the ninth inning now that could feature Art Warren, Hunter Strickland, Luis Cessa, Justin Wilson and Jeff Hoffman.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon