Quintana pitches seven scoreless innings vs. Reds

Q stifles Reds

Left-hander Jose Quintana looks more than ready for Opening Day.

The Reds didn’t bring their best team to Camelback Ranch, but Quintana commanded the strike zone for seven scoreless innings. He retired the first 17 batters he faced, allowed two hits, walked none and struck out three.

‘‘I attacked the zone early,’’ Quintana said. ‘‘When you’re ahead of every batter, it’s good. I was getting some quick outs early.’’

Quintana threw 53 of his 79 pitches for strikes and threw a little more in the bullpen to get his pitch count around 90. He likely will scale back in his final spring outing on the back fields next week.

Manager Rick Renteria still won’t say Quintana will start the season opener April 3 against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field, but it’s certain he will — unless he is traded.

Renteria hasn’t addressed the order of the Sox’ rotation, perhaps because Quintana’s name is a topic of trade rumors (at least 17 scouts from other teams were in attendance). But the Sox are holding firm with a high asking price for him, and the possibility of him staying remains good.

Three for Nicky D

Left fielder Nicky Delmonico hit a two-run home run — his third homer of the spring — and doubled in a run.

Eye on the Burdi

It was a rough outing for 2016 first-round draft pick Zack Burdi, who allowed two runs, two hits and two walks while getting only one out.

On deck

Sox at Athletics, Mesa, 3:05 p.m., CSN, Carlos Rodon vs. Kendall Graveman.

At least 17 scouts were in attendance for Jose Quintana’s start Thursday against the Reds in Glendale, Ariz.