Some news tidbits that involve our Cincinnati Reds:

• LHP Aroldis Chapman will prepare as a starter at spring training as planned. Chapman was seen by a lot of people as a fallback plan as closer, but the signing of Ryan Madson eliminates that possibility.

• C Tucker Barnhart, who hit .273 with three home runs and 43 RBI at low A Dayton last year, was invited to big league camp. Barnhart is excellent defensively and could develop into the role of backup catcher.

• 3B Juan Francisco was hitting .300/.367/.444 in the Dominican Winter League after 180 at-bats. Francisco figures to get some time in left field in spring training.

• 2B Brandon Phillips and the Reds have not discussed his contract extension since the winter meetings. Phillips is scheduled to be at the club’s Winter Caravan at the end of January as usual.

• RHP Daniel Corcino earned in invite to big league camp. Corcino went 11-7 with a 3.42 ERA at Dayton. In the wake of the all the trades, he is the Reds’ No. 1 pitching prospect.