Coffey or Simpson Likely to Get Call Up

With Ramon Ortiz going on the 15 day DL Dan O’Brien has indicated in an article in the Post that they are likely to recall either Todd Coffey or newly acquired Allan Simpson from AAA Louisville.

Belisle figures to make at least one more start, Saturday at Florida, with Ortiz not eligible to come off the disabled list until next Sunday. But with he and Brandon Claussen now slotted into the rotation, the Reds will need an extra arm in the bullpen, said general manager Dan O’Brien.

“We’re going into a stretch of games where we don’t have another off day until the 28th,” said O’Brien. “We’re going to need all five starters and we’re going to need an additional pitcher – we can’t continue to play short like we have been.”

O’Brien said the “likely scenario” is that the Reds will call up either Todd Coffey or Allan Simpson from Class AAA Louisville today. Both right-handers are on the 40-man roster and neither pitched Sunday for the Bats.

Coffey’s absence from Louisville’s game at Richmond may have been telling. He has been the Bats’ closer so far this season, but even after Louisville scored two in the top of the ninth to break a 4-4 tie, Coffey was not summoned to close it out. Instead, the Bats stuck with Ricky Stone for a second inning of work.

Simpson would also be a viable option. Since arriving from the Rockies in a trade for Jose Acevedo last weekend, he has pitched three scoreless innings in two appearances. If Simpson was to get the call rather than Coffey, it would likely be because he has some major-league experience, 34 games with Colorado over the last two seasons.

The Louisville Courier-Journal has nice background articles on both Coffey and Simpson.

I hope they bring Coffey up, Simpson reminds me too much of Valentine who is too wild and inconsistent to hold any confidence in.

Later,
Tom