From today’s Enquirer
Matt Belisle’s first big-league save Monday seemingly came as the result of him being about the only man left in the bullpen in the Reds’ 11-10 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
But Belisle, a 25-year-old right-hander, could be closing games on a regular basis.
“Don’t be surprised if you see him out there at the start of the ninth,” Reds manager Jerry Narron said.
The Reds like Belisle’s temperament. That his fastball hits 95 mph doesn’t hurt either.
A stupid move by the Reds. As badly as this team needs starting pitching, anyone that can possibly start should be tried in that job first. Belisle has been effective as a starter this year, why not try him there?
It was expected Elizardo Ramirez would be sent back to Triple-A Louisville.
That they called up Jason Standridge to take his roster spot was a bit of a shock.
The Reds signed Standridge, a 26-year-old right-hander, after the Texas Rangers designated him for assignment.
Standridge, a former No. 1 pick of Tampa Bay in 1997, pitched two games for Texas this year, allowing three runs in 21/3 innings.
He pitched a total of 21 games for Tampa from 2001-04, going 0-5 with a 6.38 ERA.
His numbers at Triple-A have not been overwhelming: 5-3, 4.75 ERA, 83 hits, 37 walks, 51 strikeouts in 772/3 innings.
The other two Triple-A pitchers on the 40-man roster – Allan Simpson (3-1, 5.35 ERA) and Joe Valentine (0-4, 5.19) – haven’t torn it up at Louisville. So it’s not surprising they didn’t get the call.
But Chris Booker, who is 6-1 with a 2.41 ERA and 10 saves at Louisville, was passed over again. Booker isn’t on the 40-man roster, but neither was Standridge.
I don’t know anything about Standridge, but Chris Booker has to be wondering what the heck he’s doing in this organization.
Reliever Ricky Stone, designated for assignment Sunday, rejected the outright assignment to Louisville and elected free agency.
Standridge took his roster spot.
No big loss here.
Ryan Freel, on the disabled list with a sore toe, ran at 100 percent Monday. He was pain free. If he doesn’t have residual pain today, he could begin a rehab assignment tonight for Louisville.
I assume this means that Encarnacion will go back to Louisville.
Standridge was suppose to be really good in 1997. But………..he’s not, there really is no reason for him to be here. He’ll get rocked once, then be DFA. Another failure to tack on to O’Briens resume!