PHOENIX –– Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene was spending time with his family, who made the trip to Arizona, Monday afternoon when he added another memorable moment to his impressive rookie season.
Greene learned he had won the NL Player of the Week award following two outstanding starts. In 12 innings between the two games, Greene allowed one run and three hits while striking out 15 batters.
“They were proud of me,” Greene said. “To experience that moment with them was cool. Still a lot of work to be done but I definitely want to smell the roses and not be too caught up in trying to be perfect every time but to enjoy it. Really cool.”
Tommy Pham:Looking at an important adjustment for Reds OF
Alexis Díaz:How reliever will test Reds manager David Bell's approach to the bullpen
'Is this a problem?':How Graham Ashcraft became the Reds' diamond in the rough
Greene allowed one hit in seven shutout innings versus the Arizona Diamondbacks last Monday. He didn’t allow any hard contact, and the Diamondbacks' only hit was on a leadoff bunt in the first inning.
Then on Saturday versus the St. Louis Cardinals, Greene used a slider-heavy game plan and allowed one run in five innings.
“It’s instant feedback when you’re out there,” Greene said. “You know if you’re on or not or if what you’re working on the days in-between (pitching) is working. Still a lot more games to go, a long season. Nothing is guaranteed. To be able to still focus on my process and know what’s been working for me in the success I’ve been having, being able to still lock in on that process and trying to perfect all those things in between will help with that.”
Doc:Joey Votto's beautiful, continued obsession with hitting
Joey Votto:His respect for Cardinals future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols
QUICK RETURN: Last week, Reds second baseman Jonathan India initially mentioned June 17 as a potential target return date to come off the IL. He had been out since May 1 with a hamstring injury, and India left for a rehab assignment in Triple-A that was expected to last 10 days.
But on Monday, India was in Phoenix going through pregame warmups. After warmups went well, India was activated for Monday night’s game. While India wasn’t in the starting lineup on Monday night, the Reds have their second baseman and leadoff hitter going forward.
BETTER AND BACK: Reds designated hitter Mike Moustakas went on the COVID IL on June 6, and he had to take a few days off as he dealt with an illness. On Monday, the Reds activated Moustakas, and he started the game batting seventh and playing third base.
“I was definitely sick,” Moustakas said. “It took a couple days to get back on my feet and start feeling good again. It’s great to be back. I missed the boys a lot, and it’s good to be back being one of the guys.”
MORE MOVES: As the Reds got Moustakas and India back, they optioned infielders Colin Moran and Alejo Lopez to Triple-A. While Moran and Lopez both weren’t every day starters, Lopez had carved out a role as a pinch-hitter who consistently put the ball in play.
“(Lopez) has done a really nice job in a tough role, like really nice,” Reds manager David Bell said. “Not everyone is cut out for that role and he clearly is. Not that he can’t play every day. He wants to play every day but going to Triple-A, we’re going to try to increase the amount of positions he plays. I do think he’s really cut out for a tough role. He really has shown he plays well in a really limited time. That will just increase his playing time.”
The Reds also activated Reiver Sanmartin from the taxi squad. Over the last month, Sanmartin has become a relief pitcher, and he made two impressive relief appearances in his two most recent Triple-A games.
“It will be good to see him in a different role,” Bell said. “Probably shorter stints. It’s not going to be like it was a couple of times for us where he went in longer relief. We’ll kind of keep him in the short roles.”
In other moves, the Reds put outfielder Aristides Aquino on the 10-day IL with a left calf strain. Starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (lower back) began his rehab assignment in rookie ball. Outfielder Jake Fraley (toe) was transferred to the 60-day IL.
Source link
