When the Cincinnati Reds called up right-hander Brad Brach from the minor leagues Friday, they knew they had about a week before Brach turned to his backup plan.
Brach was hoping that he would receive another opportunity in the big leagues this month, but he kept his options open. The 35-year-old relief pitcher was on the Team USA provisional roster for an Olympic qualifier, which starts next week.
“If I didn’t have a chance at the Major Leagues, what better opportunity than to represent your country, even if it was an Olympic qualifier,” Brach said. “My first and foremost thing was to help a team in the big leagues, and if I got that opportunity, that’s why I am playing the game. Obviously, that was a good backup plan. But I’m definitely glad to be back up here.”
Brach was pitching well at Triple-A Louisville, striking out 12 and walking one in 6 2/3 innings. He permitted only four hits and one unearned run.
His velocity, which took a major dip in the 2020 season, rebounded to his usual mid-90s. When he pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Friday’s 9-4 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers, he topped out at 95 mph.
