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GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) – Left-hander Paul Maholm is getting a chance to help the Cincinnati Reds piece together their depleted starting rotation.
The Reds signed Maholm to a minor league deal and invited him to training camp to see whether he could be a starter again after spending much of last season in the Dodgers bullpen. Before that, he was a starter with the Pirates, Cubs and Braves.
“Maholm played on some good teams in Atlanta and L.A., and we have a need for starting pitchers,” manager Bryan Price said.
The Reds traded Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon in the offseason, leaving two openings for starters. Plus, Homer Bailey is recovering from forearm surgery and won’t be ready to rejoin the rotation until at least mid-April.
Several young pitchers have the inside track on the openings, but Maholm and Jason Marquis were brought to camp as options. Marquis will start Cincinnati’s spring training opener on Tuesday against Cleveland in Goodyear.
“I signed with the Reds because it is an opportunity to compete, to get back into starting,” Maholm said. “I want to prove that I can do it.”