Reality finally struck when they fell below .500 in August. Improvement now, while the Reds are in the midst of playing 22 of 25 games against Central opponents, would be timely. It also might be a severe challenge, given the injuries that have befallen the team. You try to tread water until you can get your starting team out there. May. With Opening Day starter Pete Harnisch on the disabled list, the Reds may struggle to make that theoretical deadline.
Conflicting signs are evident.
Reds starters were 0-6 in 13 games before Monday's. With Pete not being in the mix, that's certainly a factor. But we're settling into it. Even if Ken Griffey Jr. needs more time to recover from his hamstring injury, the Reds must learn when their star center fielder can return. The Reds could receive some definite answers by next week, after Griffey undergoes his next strength test.