The Key for the week of June 16, 2025
Reds Up, Reds Down
You’re hot, then you’re cold, says Katy Perry, and it could describe the recent Reds. One day after their pitching staff gave up 11 runs to the Tigers, the Reds came back with 11 of their own to take the road series from one of the best teams in either league. During that stretch Ely De La Cruz homered in his fourth straight game as the Reds finished the weekend winning seven of its last nine and three straight series.
The Reds news isn’t all good, however. The team says Reds ace Hunter Greene will be gone from the rotation for probably a month as he rehabs the groin strain that put him on the DL earlier this season. He’s heading to Goodyear, Arizona, to work his way back, but the team is saying, don’t expect him until mid-July. That probably means after the All-Star break. To fill the space made by his absence, the Reds signed right-hander Brian Van Belle from the Red Sox and sent him to Louisville.
Bengals Go on Summer Break…
Except for the front office, which apparently is in talks again with Trey Hendrickson. The Enquirer reports that both sides have re-opened negotiations on a new contract after not talking for most of the spring. You remember the defensive end didn’t participate in offseason workouts as he lobbied for a new deal. And yes, there’s still a stalemate with first round draft pick Shemar Stewart, who also wasn’t there for mini-camp.
The Best Thing about US Open Golf..
Is you watch the best golfers in the world play like you do at the muni course on the weekends. Hitting from the rough into the rough, hitting from the sand and flying it over the green, hey I can do that, too. In driving rain and standing water, J.J. Spaun hung in there long enough to sink a 64 foot putt on the final hole at Oakmont to be the only golfer in the field to finish under par. Before this, Spaun’s closest brush with golf glory came earlier this season when he lost in a playoff to Rory McIlroy at the Players’ Championship. Now he has $4.3 million in the bank, along with a 10-year exemption into US Opens, and exemptions for five years to the British Open, Masters and PGA Championship. Not a bad Father’s Day for the dad of two girls.
Get Well Soon…
To former Red and fan favorite Sean Casey, who appeared with the Savannah Bananas at GABP on Friday night, ran to first, and promptly tore his hamstring, with surgery scheduled this week. All the best to the Mayor.