Reds’ DeSclafani set to return

Cincinnati Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani could make his spring training debut on Monday after missing two weeks because of a sore elbow.

DeSclafani is scheduled to throw in the bullpen today as a final test before getting into a game. He was picked as the Reds’ opening day starter last year before a strained oblique landed him on the disabled list during spring training. He ended up missing the first two months of the season.

DeSclafani went 9-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 20 starts last season.

Right-hander Bronson Arroyo is scheduled to make his first spring training appearance on Sunday against Milwaukee.

The 40-year-old is still trying to recover from Tommy John surgery performed more than two years ago.

The Reds have an opening in the rotation.

Arroyo is willing to pitch out of the bullpen, if needed. He is expected to pitch a couple of innings on Sunday.

“We feel if his body can’t handle the workload as a starter, he can help us in the bullpen,” manager Bryan Price said. “His stuff plays in any role. It’s just a durability question.”

Arroyo’s fastball was clocked at 82 to 85 mph when he threw this week.

The velocity doesn’t concern Price, who was Arroyo’s pitching coach with the Reds before the righthander left after the 2013 season.

“That’s going to go up,” Price said. “I don’t think it has to go up to his last year here which was 87 to 90. He is one of those guys you’re not going to evaluate based on velocity.”

Cubs give Maddon $1 million raise

Manager Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs were feeling like a million bucks after winning the World Series four months ago. And $1 million more per year for the final three years of his contract is what Maddon will receive for leading the franchise to its first championship since 1908. The raise pushes Maddon’s pay into a three-way tie for the most in the majors with the Angels’ Mike Scioscia and the Giants’ Bruce Bochy.