For most of the season, Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell has set up his bullpen to maximize reliever Tejay Antone’s innings. When Antone was injured, Bell did the same with reliever Lucas Sims.
Now, the Reds' two best relievers are on the injured list.
Before Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, the Reds placed Antone on the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain. In a corresponding roster move, the Reds called up reliever Cionel Pérez from Triple-A.
Antone has dealt with arm fatigue all season. During his IL stint earlier this month, Antone said it took five days to fully recover and feel normal again.
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“I had soreness all in my forearm, kind of everywhere on both sides,” Antone said last Tuesday. “It was some inflammation, just took a long time to go down.”
After coming off the IL last Tuesday, Antone pitched Tuesday and Thursday. He didn’t have his usually productive results in either game. On Thursday, Antone allowed five consecutive batters to reach base.
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There hasn’t been an announced timeline yet for Antone, and Sims is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. Without those two relievers, Heath Hembree, Brad Brach and Amir Garrett are expected to pitch in high-leverage situations.
MOUSTAKAS IN JULY: According to Bell, infielder Mike Moustakas (heel contusion) is still dealing with pain.
Moustakas played in a rehab game in Triple-A last week, but Moustakas suffered a setback and went on the 60-day injured list. Bell said Moustakas could have a similar recovery timeline to outfielder Nick Senzel, who could begin playing in rehab games after the All-Star break.
“I think they’re just really difficult injuries to get over,” Bell said. “I know they’re painful, too. (Moustakas) doesn’t talk about it, but other people do. I know it’s a tough injury to have.”
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SEEING SUÁREZ: Eugenio Suárez’s latest adjustment is trying to see the ball longer.
Suárez is hitting .176 this season, which is the second-lowest batting average in MLB among qualifying hitters. He has taken a step forward recently, driving in eight runs in his last seven games and hitting a home run against the Braves on Friday.
“Definitely, I feel better,” Suárez said. “I am seeing the ball better and even if I don’t have the results, my average and all of that stuff, I feel good. I keep grinding. I never give up. I just do my best.”
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While Suárez has 90 strikeouts in the Reds first 72 games, he has struck out less often over this seven-game stretch. Bell said he has also noticed an adjustment from Suárez.
“Sometimes, it’s confidence, sometimes it’s just feeling strong and healthy and not being fatigued,” Bell said. “He has had the slow start, but each step of the way, it’s like he’s crawling his way out of it and having success along the way and doing things to help us win games.”
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