Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings May 26, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY

Transcription

1 Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings May 26, 2017 THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1939-The Reds take first place and win their 11th consecutive game in a triumph, 7-5, over the Cardinals. The Reds hold onto first place for the remainder of the season MLB.COM Adleman starts opener vs. Phillies By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com May 25th, COMMENT The Phillies hope to stop the bleeding this weekend in a three-game series against the Reds at Citizens Bank Park. They had lost 20 of 24 before winning Thursday's series finale against the Rockies. Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola (2-1, 3.52 ERA) faces Reds right-hander Tim Adleman (2-2, 6.19 ERA) in Friday night's series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Nola pitched well in his return from the disabled list on Sunday in Pittsburgh, allowing one run on four hits in seven innings. He had spent a month on the DL with a strained lower back. Adleman is starting instead of Bronson Arroyo because of Thursday's rainout at Cleveland that pushed the rotation back a day. In his last start against the Rockies on Saturday, he got a no-decision but surrendered a career-high six earned runs on seven hits with four walks over 4 2/3 innings. Three things to know about this game: The Reds have not won a series at Citizens Bank Park since August In 10 series since, the Reds are and in 35 games. Just 5.7 percent of Nola's pitches this season have been in the upper third of the strike zone, the 19th-lowest rate among 173 starting pitchers with at least 300 pitches thrown. Nola has not allowed a single ball in play on a pitch in that area. Scott Schebler (13), Joey Votto (12), Eugenio Suarez (10) and Adam Duvall (10) make the Reds the only team in the Majors with four players with at least 10 home runs this season. Todd Zolecki has covered the Phillies since 2003, and for MLB.com since Follow him on Twitter and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Rain postpones Ohio Cup finale By William Kosileski / MLB.com May 25th, COMMENT CLEVELAND -- The Ohio Cup finale between the Reds and Indians on Thursday at Progressive Field was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up on a mutual off-day for both ballclubs at 7:10 p.m. ET on July 24. Mike Clevinger (2-1, 1.56 ERA) was scheduled to make his fourth start of the season in place of injured Indians ace Corey Kluber, but the right-hander will be pushed back one day and will open the weekend series with the Royals at Progressive Field. Reds righthander Tim Adleman (2-2, 6.19 ERA) was slated to pitch, but he too will be pushed back a day when Cincinnati visits the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The rainout marks the third postponed game of the season for the Tribe, joining its April 19 game against the Twins and May 4 game against the Tigers. This is the second postponed contest for the Reds this season. Their April 29th matchup against the Cardinals was also rained out. Fans holding tickets to Thursday's postponed game are encouraged to attend the July 24 makeup game as their tickets will be good for entry. Fans that purchased tickets directly from Indians.com, the Progressive Field box office or the team shop who will not be able to attend the July 24 makeup game will have two options: They can exchange their tickets by July 21 for either the Tribe's June 26 or June 28 game against the Rangers.

2 William Kosileski is a reporter for MLB.com based in Cleveland. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Garrett on DL with right hip inflammation By Mark Sheldon / May 25th, COMMENTS CLEVELAND -- The Reds are down another starting pitcher after they placed rookie left-hander Amir Garrett on the 10-day disabled list with right hip inflammation. Taking the roster spot for Garrett is right-hander Jake Buchanan, whom the Reds claimed off of waivers from the Cubs. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati designated first baseman Peter O'Brien for assignment. Garrett has a 6.00 ERA in eight starts, in part because his last two outings have been poor. On Tuesday against the Indians, he allowed seven earned runs on seven hits with one walk over five innings for a no-decision in an 8-7 Reds loss. Before that, he gave up six runs in four frames to the Cubs. It appears that the 25-year-old Garrett was bothered already by the hip during Tuesday's game. "I think it was exacerbated during the start," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "It wasn't a big deal, initially, because we didn't know about it. He said it had been about 7-10 days earlier that he first experienced it. I don't know if that was in his short two-inning outing in Louisville or somewhere in the aftermath. I don't think it was anything that was a cause for concern." Garrett, who did not travel with the club, was examined by team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek and underwent tests that included a MRI. "The best-case scenario is he misses those 10 days of DL time and is ready to go right immediately following that," Price said. "The intention is to keep him from putting a lot of weight on his hip as he goes through the initial days of rehab. Then we'll get him back in the mix and be able to throw bullpens, which would be an essential part before we agree to get him back in the rotation." Asher Wojciechowski or Buchanan were originally in mind to replace Garrett for the next turn in the rotation, which was supposed to be on Sunday at Philadelphia. However, with a rainout on Thursday, everyone is moving back a day and the Reds no longer need a starter against the Phillies. But someone will be needed to start on Tuesday during the next series at Toronto. Buchanan, 27, has a 3.75 ERA in 24 games, including three starts, over parts of three seasons in the Majors with the Astros and Cubs. He last pitched in the big leagues for Chicago on Sept. 30, 2016, and defeated the Reds with five scoreless innings. This season at Triple-A Iowa, Buchanan went 2-2 with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP in eight starts. Worth noting Lefty reliever Tony Cingrani (right oblique) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Friday with Class A Dayton. If Cingrani has no issues, a rehab assignment in the Minors will be slated. Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from Follow him on and Facebook and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. CINCINNATI ENQUIRER After watching Votto, more Reds hitters are choking up Zach Buchanan, zbuchanan@enquirer.com Published 5:59 p.m. ET May 25, 2017 Updated 14 hours ago CLEVELAND Joey Votto has always choked up on the bat, at least as long as he s been a professional. When he was 18 and in the Gulf Coast League, fresh off of being selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 2002 draft, then Reds roving hitting instructor Leon Roberts drilled it into his head. With two strikes, you choke up. In recent years, Votto has transitioned to choking up all the time. With relievers throwing harder and harder and his physical skills supposedly not what they used to be Votto feels like his margin for error is thinner than ever. Sometimes if a guy s super filthy, I ll start it even higher, earlier in the count, Votto said. Just because they re so good.

3 Votto is something less than a choke-up evangelist, and will dispassionately tell you about the power-related opportunity cost of adopting a two-strike approach. So far as his teammates tell it, he doesn t impose his hitting philosophies on anyone else. But several Reds hitters have been paying attention to Votto, who is hitting.299/.422/.591 so far in They ve seen how rare it is for him to truly get beat, and how he s striking out less than ever. Now many of them are choking up, too. You see Joey do it," said catcher Tucker Barnhart, "and there s obviously a reason why Joey s doing it." Barnhart has always choked up with two strikes, but has started to adopt a two-strike mentality to start at-bats after hearing Votto explain his thought process. Jose Peraza has begun choking up as well. So are Scott Schebler and Eugenio Suarez. Schebler had never been taught to choke up, not in high school nor when he was a prospect working through the minor-league system of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Just in the last few days, he s taken every swing in batting practice gripping the bat higher on the handle. Even when he drops down to his normal grip for the game, his swing feels more direct. Suarez only started choking up last weekend against the Colorado Rockies. Like Votto, he chokes up for every pitch, regardless of the situation. Initially, he was concerned he d lose power, which is normally the trade-off of adopting a two-strike approach. With more bat control comes less torque. He s been doing it for the last 22 plate appearances, and has been pleasantly surprised. "Now I have three homers when I choke up," Suarez said. "My power s still there. This of course raises the questions of why hitters are hesitant to choke up in the first place, at least when down to their last strike. The cost-benefit analysis of missing a pitch in those situations is so obviously in favor of shortening your swing that it seems foolish to not alter it. That s an issue hitting coach Don Long faces constantly. He said he has hitters he wants to adopt the approach, but it s all about timing as to when he broaches the subject. Successful changes to a hitter's approach aren t mandated from on high. Hitters, with guidance from Long and assistant hitting coach Tony Jaramillo, have to come to that conclusion on their own. That can often mean swallowing pride in favor of pragmatism. With some guys, it s a matter of they ve never done it before and are a little fearful to try it, Long said. With certain other individuals and I m not saying our guys, because I haven t had that conversation directly it s an ego-driven thing. It s like giving in, when really for me it s nothing about that. In my opinion, it s about being smarter about what you re doing. Rainout, Amir Garrett injury leaves Cincinnati Reds rotation in flux Zach Buchanan, zbuchanan@enquirer.com Published 5:00 p.m. ET May 25, 2017 Updated 16 hours ago CLEVELAND Rainy weather led to the cancellation of Thursday s game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Coupled with a trip to the disabled list for rookie left-hander Amir Garrett, the Cincinnati Reds rotation is now in a bit of flux. The Reds will push their top three pitchers in the rotation back a day, with Tim Adleman, Bronson Arroyo and Scott Feldman starting this weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies. After that, no rotation decisions have been made. The Reds won t need a fifth starter until Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Before the rainout, candidates for that start included right-handers Asher Wojciechowski and Jake Buchanan, the latter of whom was claimed off waivers Thursday from the Chicago Cubs. (Triple-A outfielder Peter O Brien, a waiver claim earlier in the month, was designated for assignment to make room for Buchanan.) Buchanan has options, and had been pitching in the minors for the Cubs. Wojciechowski does not have options and can t be sent to the minors without risking being lost on waivers. With both on the roster, the Reds currently are carrying nine relievers. Whoever takes the start may not get another for a while. Reds manager Bryan Price said Garrett s injury termed right hip inflammation could abate by the end of the minimum 10-day stay on the disabled list. He d be eligible to return before his spot would come up a second time. He ll miss a start and optimistically, the doctor thinks he can make the following start after, Price said.

4 Garrett has been dealing with the hip issue for seven to 10 days, according to Price, but neglected to tell the team about it. Price wasn t sure if the issue stemmed from his innings-saving start in the minors in the middle of the month, or in the aftermath. He does know Garrett s poor start Tuesday against the Indians exacerbated the issue. Garrett is not with the team in Cleveland, having remained back in Cincinnati in order to be examined by team doctors. It wasn t a big deal, initially, because we didn t know about it, Price said. More DL updates Left-handed reliever Tony Cingrani will throw a live batting practice section against Low-A hitters from the Dayton Dragons on Friday, after which the Reds will hope to send him out on rehab assignment. Cingrani is returning from an oblique injury. That will be the last time seeing him, hopefully, pitching in a side day situation, Price said. After that, we should be able to slot him in for regular relief outings until we deem him ready to come off the DL. Catcher Stuart Turner is with the Reds on the road, but that doesn t necessarily signify that he ll be back from the disabled list when his minimum stay is up. He s with the team mostly to be under the watchful eye of the trainers and catching coach Mike Stefanski while he does rehab exercises, and will get regular at-bats in the minors on rehab assignment once he s deemed ready. That return to the minors the only way a Rule 5 pick can be sent down by his claiming team, and only f or a maximum stay of 20 days should start soon. We wanted to get him out when he s deemed capable to get out there and actually get some game time action, which makes more sense considering his amount of time off, Price said. Amir Garrett to disabled list as Reds claim Jake Buchanan Zach Buchanan, zbuchanan@enquirer.com Published 2:18 p.m. ET May 25, 2017 Updated 18 hours ago The Cincinnati Reds on Thursday placed rookie left-hander Amir Garrett on the 10-day disabled list with right hip inflammation. The move came in conjunction with a waiver claim of right-handed reliever Jake Buchanan from the Chicago Cubs. To make room for Buchanan on the 40-man roster, the Reds designated for assignment Triple-A outfielder Peter O'Brien, whom they'd claimed from the Kansas City Royals earlier in the month. Buchanan comes to the Reds with only 50 1/3 major-league innings, most of them in 2014 with the Houston Astros. He has not appeared in the majors this year. He started this year for Chicago's Triple-A affiliate, posting a 4.75 ERA in 41 2/3 innings. Amir Garrett lasted just four innings and the Reds were swept in Chicago, losing 9-5 to the Cubs on Thursday. The Enquirer/C. Trent Rosecrans Garrett had made just two starts since returning from an innings-limiting stint in the minors, both of which went poorly. He allowed six runs in four innings on May 18 against the Cubs, and then gave up seven in five innings to the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. It's unclear who will take his spot in the rotation. Buchanan was starting in the minors, but had mediocre numbers and has mostly relieved in the majors. The Reds have four other 40-man roster pitchers in Triple-A, but one is hurt and three others haven't performed at a high level. One option could be right-hander Asher Wojciechowski, who was called up last weekend after posting strong results in the minors. Wojciechowski impressed in his first big-league action with the Reds, turning in several innings of scoreless long relief. TRANSACTIONS 05/25/17 Los Angeles Dodgers placed LHP Luis Avilan on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 24, Left triceps soreness. Los Angeles Dodgers activated LHP Adam Liberatore from the 10-day disabled list. Los Angeles Dodgers placed CF Joc Pederson on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 24, Concussion. Los Angeles Dodgers activated RHP Kenta Maeda from the 10-day disabled list. Miami Marlins optioned RHP Drew Steckenrider to New Orleans Baby Cakes. New York Mets optioned Kevin Plawecki to Las Vegas 51s. New York Mets activated SS Asdrubal Cabrera from the 10-day disabled list. San Diego Padres selected the contract of Dinelson Lamet from El Paso Chihuahuas. San Diego Padres optioned Carlos Asuaje to El Paso Chihuahuas.

5 Boston Red Sox signed free agent OF Jeremy Barfield to a minor league contract. Cleveland Indians placed CF Lonnie Chisenhall on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 23, Concussion. Toronto Blue Jays sent LHP J.A. Happ on a rehab assignment to Dunedin Blue Jays. Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Amir Garrett on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 24, Right hip inflammation. Cincinnati Reds designated LF Peter O'Brien for assignment. Cincinnati Reds claimed RHP Jake Buchanan off waivers from Chicago Cubs. Cleveland Indians sent RHP Corey Kluber on a rehab assignment to Columbus Clippers. Tampa Bay Rays placed RHP Jumbo Diaz on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 23, Right arm fatigue. Tampa Bay Rays activated RHP Tommy Hunter from the 10-day disabled list. Atlanta Braves recalled Matt Wisler from Gwinnett Braves. Atlanta Braves designated RHP Josh Collmenter for assignment. Philadelphia Phillies activated RHP Jeanmar Gomez from the 10-day disabled list. Los Angeles Angels recalled Daniel Wright from Salt Lake Bees. Los Angeles Angels optioned Brooks Pounders to Salt Lake Bees. Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Danny Ortiz to Indianapolis Indians. Pittsburgh Pirates activated LF Gregory Polanco from the 10-day disabled list. New York Yankees recalled Rob Refsnyder from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. New York Yankees placed CF Jacoby Ellsbury on the 7-day disabled list. Concussion. Washington Nationals traded C Nick Rickles to Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia Phillies optioned Adam Morgan to Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Toronto Blue Jays optioned LF Dwight Smith Jr. to Buffalo Bisons.