CINCINNATI -- Shortly after camp opened, the Reds signed two veterans to Minor League contracts in utility player
\n\nReliever Richard Rodriguez replaced Taillon to face Dietrich, and on a 2-1 fastball, Dietrich ripped a drive to right-center field that sailed into the first few rows of seats. The sellout crowd of 44,049 fans roared as Dietrich raised his arm between home and first base and pumped his fist as he circled the bases.\n\n“What a huge home run for Derek,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I was really happy for him. It’s not easy pinch-hitting, and he’s had success doing it throughout his career. It’s obviously just a huge home run and a great way for him to start his career here in Cincinnati.”
• [Reds celebrate anniversary with big parade](https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/reds-parade-commemorates-150th-anniversary)\n\nWhen Dietrich returned to the dugout, he got a big chest bump from teammate
“To be in the situation where we could have a player like Jose Iglesias step in, it put us in a much better situation than we would have been,” Bell said. “Then Derek Dietrich adds such a good player off the bench. Having someone like that, who’s had success pinch-hitting and being a role player, he’s going to contribute a lot this year.”\n\nIn 2018, the Reds opened with a 3-18 record that would doom their season. The roles that Dietrich and Iglesias have this year belonged to Phil Gosselin and Cliff Pennington then. By May, both players were no longer with the team.\n\n• [Schebler talks Opening Day start, Senzel's potential](https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/scott-schebler-talks-opening-day-nick-senzel)\n\nDuring the offseason, the Reds made several significant moves that added Puig and