Reds' Hunter Strickland: Could close games

Strickland is part of a large group of closer candidates for the Reds this season according to manager David Bell, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lucas Sims (elbow) will miss the start of the season with elbow troubles and isn't a lock to claim the job once healthy. Strickland had a 2.61 ERA last season, but his 24.0 percent strikeout rate isn't typical closer material and his 34.8 percent groundball rate could result in a fair number of homers at Great American Ball Park.