28 Anthony DeSclafani SP

DeSclafani pitched in two official spring training games (with his other work coming in simulated games), allowing just one earned run on three hits and a walk over six innings while striking out four.

Just making it to the Opening Day bell has been a challenge some years for DeSclafani, but he made it through 2019 unscathed. The Reds are hoping for continued health and progress against left-handed hitters from the 29-year-old.

After overhauling his delivery last season, DeSclafani spent this offseason fine-tuning that more efficient delivery, with a specific emphasis on his curveball, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The curveball is the key to improving DeSclafani's performance against left-handers. Last season, the hurler allowed a .795 OPS to left-handers as opposed to a .638 OPS against right-handers. That's actually a considerable improvement over 2018, when lefties had a .917 OPS against him, and that improvement can largely be chalked up to his curveball.

DeSclafani agreed to a one-year, $5.975 million deal with the Reds, avoiding arbitration, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

This is his third and final year as an arbitration-eligible player before hitting the open market. He gets a sizable raise over the $2.13 million he was awarded last offseason.

DeSclafani allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts across five innings of relief during a no-decision against the Pirates on Friday.

Michael Lorenzen started, but DeSclafani entered after two scoreless frames. Although he didn't pitch great, DeSclafani was in line for the win after the Reds took the lead in the eighth, but the Pirates came back in the ninth to force the 29-year-old to settle for a no-decision. He ends the year 9-9 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 167 strikeouts in 166.2 innings.

DeSclafani allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits with one walk and seven strikeouts across six innings during a no-decision against the Mets on Saturday.

The right-hander struggled with tossing up homers early this season, but he's solved that problem lately and been pitching much better. He's allowed only three home runs over his last six outings, which has resulted in a 2.08 ERA during that stretch. Overall, DeSclafani is 9-9 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 162 strikeouts in 161.2 innings this season. He lines up to make his last start of the year at the Pirates on Friday.

DeSclafani (9-9) shined Saturday, allowing just one run on one hit and striking out five over seven innings, but he took the loss versus the Diamondbacks.

Only Nick Ahmed got on base versus DeSclafani, but he did so with a triple. Jarrod Dyson's sacrifice fly was enough to tag DeSclafani with a tough loss. The right-hander now owns a 3.93 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with a career-high 155 strikeouts over 155.2 innings this year. DeSclafani will likely start Friday's series opener against the Mets.

DeSclafani gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out three in six innings Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He did not factor in the decision.

DeSclafani left the game on the hook for the loss, but Cincinnati's bats came through over the final three innings and the Reds won 4-3. His next start comes Saturday against this same Diamondbacks lineup, only this time it will be a road game in Arizona.

DeSclafani (9-8) allowed four runs on three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts across seven innings while taking a loss against the Phillies on Monday.

A lot of things went well for DeSclafani in this one, but the same thing continues to plague him -- home runs. DeSclafani has allowed fewer long balls lately, but he's still tossed up a career-high 27 homers and owns a 1.7 HR/9 this year. If it wasn't for all the long balls, DeSclafani would possess a much higher fantasy ceiling. Instead, he is 9-8 with a 4.10 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 142.2 innings this season. DeSclafani will face the Diamondbacks at home in his next start Sunday.

DeSclafani (9-7) picked up the win in Wednesday's 5-0 victory over the Marlins, giving up two hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings while striking out eight.

The right-hander was simply dominant, not allowing a runner into scoring position while firing 71 of 110 pitches for strikes. DeSclafani will take a 4.05 ERA and 139:42 K:BB through 135.2 innings into his next start Monday, at home against the Phillies.

DeSclafani allowed one run on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts across six innings during a no-decision against the Pirates on Friday.

Like last season, DeSclafani has experienced some difficulty keeping the ball in the park, but he did just that Friday and yielded only one run for the second straight start. The right-hander came into the night having alternated wins and losses in his last six outings, but he remains 8-7 with a 4.27 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 131 strikeouts in 128.2 innings this season. DeSclafani will pitch next at the Marlins on Wednesday.

DeSclafani (8-7) allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings in a win over the Cardinals on Saturday.

He kept the first-place Cardinals at bay, with the lone blemish being a solo homer allowed to Matt Carpenter in the second inning. DeSclafani induced 15 swinging strikes on 89 pitches, which will boost what is already a career-high swinging-strike rate. The 29-year-old has been inconsistent from start to start on account of his homer issues, but he does a lot well and has appeal in fantasy as a matchups play. He lines up for a road start in Pittsburgh next week.

DeSclafani (7-7) gave up six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three through four innings to take the loss against the Nationals on Monday.

DeSclafani gave up three runs in the first inning, and gave up a three-run home run in the fourth frame. The right-hander delivered his shortest outing since May 24 and the six runs were a season-high. DeSclafani has a 4.51 ERA and 123 strikeouts through 23 starts this season. DeSclafani will make his next start Saturday against the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.

DeSclafani (7-6) allowed four earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.1 innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Angels.

DeSclafani allowed a three-run home run to Justin Upton in the first inning but surrendered only one run -- a solo shot to Mike Trout -- thereafter. Aside from the two long balls, DeSclafani held the Angels without an extra-base hit and didn't allow any sustained rallies. This effort ended a seven-start stretch in which he allowed three or fewer earned runs, though his value has been limited by his inability to work deep into games as he's completed six innings just three times in his past eight appearances. He's currently scheduled to take his next turn through the rotation Monday at Washington.

DeSclafani (6-6) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Braves after surrendering three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings.

DeSclafani got off to a rough first inning, giving up a leadoff double to Ronald Acuna, a single to Ozzie Albies and a three-run home run to Freddie Freeman before finally recording the first out. The 29-year-old then allowed one final run in the second off an RBI single by Jose Peraza before settling in. Over his last 10 starts, DeSclafani is 4-3 with a 60:13 K:BB. He now owns a 4.07 ERA and 1.30 WHIP on the season and will next look toward a Tuesday home showdown against the Angels.

DeSclafani (6-5) allowed one run on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts across five innings while earning a victory against the Rockies on Saturday.

The right-hander took the mound in the sixth but yielded a pair of singles to start the frame, so he exited without recording an out. Until that point, DeSclafani had only allowed two hits. This was DeSclafani's first win since June 30, but over his last five starts, he's been pitching much better, posting a 2.20 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 28.2 innings. Overall, he owns a 4.01 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 103.1 innings this season. DeSclafani will pitch next at the Braves on Thursday.

DeSclafani (5-5) was hit with the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out 11 over six innings Sunday against the Cardinals.

DeSclafani gave up a pair of runs in the second inning, and that was all the Cardinals would need to come away with a win in the series finale. The 29-year-old right-hander has been solid of late, allowing just six earned runs over his last four outings (23.2 innings).

DeSclafani didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Cubs, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings while striking out four.

While the right-hander was stingy with the hits, two of the Cubs' knocks left the yard -- including a solo shot by Kris Bryant in the sixth inning that tied the score at 3-3 and chased DeSclafani from the game one out shy of his third straight quality start. He'll take a 4.29 ERA and 94:27 K:BB through 92.1 innings into his next outing Sunday, at home against the Cardinals.

DeSclafani gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings during Saturday's 7-2 loss to the Indians. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

Francisco Lindor provided Cleveland's only offense against DeSclafani, as he hit a pair of solo home runs to right field. The 29-year-old finished the first half on a strong note Saturday and has a 4.26 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 90:26 K:BB through 86.2 innings.

DeSclafani (5-4) struck out seven and gave up five hits and one walk over six scoreless innings to take the win over the Cubs on Sunday.

DeSclafani forced 11 swinging strikes and was efficient, throwing only 73 pitches through six innings. The right-hander allowed one or fewer runs in four of his five starts in June. The Reds do not let him face a lineup for a third time, which limits his upside, but it could be an explanation for his recent effectiveness. DeSclafani will look to keep rolling in his next start Saturday against the Indians at Great American Ball Park.

DeSclafani (4-4) gave up six runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out nine through 4.1 innings to take the loss against the Brewers on Sunday.

DeSclafani struck out his season high batter count but yielded his highest run and hit totals of the season. The 29-year-old struck out the first six batters of the game and appeared to be on his way to a spectacular performance before a disastrous five-run third inning derailed his outing. The right-hander has a 4-4 record with a 4.70 ERA through 15 starts on the campaign. DeSclafani will look to get better results in his next start Sunday against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park.