The Cincinnati Reds have yet to play a Cactus League game, but left-hander Wandy Peralta may already be making a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Reds manager Bryan Price has signaled out Peralta's performance following a couple of bullpen sessions in Arizona. "I don't know if there is anyone who has impressed me more than Wandy Peralta, as far as his bullpen quality, his pitch quality," Price told reporters, including MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
Price is looking for a situational left-hander in a bullpen that currently lists Tony Cingrani as its only southpaw. One possibility is the 25-year-old Peralta, who struggled as a September call-up with an 8.59 ERA in 7 1/3 innings.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Peralta split last season between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville, posting a combined 2.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
- Doug Mittler