The Cincinnati Reds are coming off a series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays and enter this series with the Chicago Cubs with a 50-55 record. They are currently in last place in the National League Central and are battling the Cubs in a series that if the Reds win will put the Cubs in the cellar. This is not how either team’s fan base thought it would look before the season started I would imagine, both teams were being discussed as leading the division or at the very least pushing for a playoff spot. As it is now this series just screams disappointment, but before the series the Reds have announced three roster moves as they have seemed to lose an arm for a little while longer.
RHP – Graham Ashcraft
The Reds have transferred Ashcraft from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list with his Right elbow strain. Ashcraft has five wins and five losses in 15 starts for the Reds this year. He has pitched in 77.1 innings allowing 45 earned runs, 27 walks, 57 strikeouts, and has a 5.24 ERA on the season.
C – Austin Wynns
The Reds have placed Wynns on the 10-day injured list with a Right Teres Major tear. So far this year, he has played in seven games for the Reds with 19 at-bats, three runs scored, four doubles, two RBIs, and five strikeouts. He is slashing .368/.400/.579 with a .979 OPS with the Reds.
C – Eric Yang
The Reds have selected Yang’s contract from Triple-A Louisville Bats today ahead of their upcoming series with the Chicago Cubs. Yang has split the year between Double-A and Triple-A for the Reds farm system this year. He has played in 28 games combined with six runs scored, three doubles, five RBIs, 16 walks, and struck out 22 times. He has slashed .164/.330/.205 with a .535 OPS combined this season in the minors.
Overview
The Reds have battled injuries all season long with their pitching staff and their positional players. This team has been through a lot this year and just has not had enough people step up as the “next man up” to make any kind of push in the division. With the trade deadline closing in on management, it will be interesting to see if the Reds sell any pieces as they look ahead to next year.
