WASHINGTON, D.C. – After issuing a five-pitch walk to Juan Soto in the second inning Wednesday, Jeff Hoffman motioned to the Cincinnati Reds dugout for a trainer.
Reds manager David Bell and head trainer Steve Baumann met Hoffman on the mound. After a brief chat, Hoffman headed toward the clubhouse. A rough outing turned into something worse as he exited with right shoulder soreness.
Hoffman struggled with his command all evening, walking five of the 11 batters he faced. He recorded only four outs, throwing 46 pitches and 20 strikes. The Reds were trailing by two runs to the Washington Nationals when Hoffman left the game.
Reliever Brad Brach inherited two runners when he replaced Hoffman and stranded them.
The Reds are already down a starter. Wade Miley is on the 10-day injured list with a left foot injury, though the Reds are hopeful that he'll be ready to start Sunday in Chicago, which is the first day he's eligible to be activated from the IL.
Vladimir Gutierrez will be called up to make a spot start Friday for his Major League debut.
In the first inning, Hoffman allowed two runs via three walks and two hits. He allowed a two-out, RBI single to Starlin Castro and he walked Alex Avila with the bases loaded. He avoided further damage by stranding three runners.
Source link
