The Reds knocked around Ben Sheets yesterday, as he left the first inning without recording an out. The good news is, there’s nothing physically wrong with him:

Because Sheets has missed much of the past three seasons with injuries, including all of last year after elbow surgery, the first concern after such a stumble would be his health. However, Sheets emphasized that he felt the best he has all spring, much better than he had in his previous start, when he had trouble getting loose.

“I felt great,” he said several times.

According to an American League scout sitting behind the plate, Sheets’ fastball was hitting 91-92 mph, which is about where he should be this time of year, but his fastball was “big,” or awfully straight. Sheets said most of the Reds’ eight hits against him came on fastballs; he also walked a batter.

There were also to defensive misplays in the inning. Sheets is throwing hard without movement. It’s a step in the right direction, but we’ll see what adding the movement does to his arm.