Last night was brutal, in ways other than the final score. First of all, Laynce Nix and Jim Edmonds both pulled up lame. It appears that Nix (sprained ankle) will be available to pinch-hit tonight, and should be able to play through the pain.
Edmonds, on the other hand, sprained his right oblique. It appears likely that Edmonds will take his rightful place: filling Chris Dickerson’s spot on the disabled list. John Fay even suggests that Edmonds might be done for the year.
The question is who the Reds will call up. My guess: Juan Francisco. I also expect Jordan Smith to be demoted temporarily, so the Reds can get some relief help up here, quick. Carlos Fisher? The long-awaited debut of Aroldis Chapman? Stay tuned.
* A couple of other items: Russ Springer had surgery on his herniated disk yesterday, and he’s out for the season. Waste of money. Jason Isringhausen was also shut down at AAA Louisville and sent home. That signing was worth a gamble and, though it didn’t pay off, I expect Isringhausen to get an invite to spring camp next year (probably taking the spot of a guy like Matt Klinker).
* Mark Sheldon reports that Orlando Cabrera won’t likely be returning during the Giants series:
Although injured shortstop Orlando Cabrera and his strained left oblique are improving, Reds manager Dusty Baker nixed thoughts that he might be activated for the Giants series.
“Probably not. If he hurts it again, he’s done for the rest of the year,” Baker said. “I have to see a few more things. So far, I’ve seen 75-80 percent. It has to be 100 percent with the injury he has or it will rear its ugly head again.”
Cabrera and Baker hadn’t talked yet but Cabrera was hoping he could be activated in time. But he also was not trying to rush back.
“It seems like I was feeling really good five days ago,” said Cabrera, who has been on the DL since Aug. 2. “Just throwing has bothered me. It had me feeling like I’m not ready. I feel good hitting, running and everything. The throwing part, I really want to be 100 percent. I don’t even want to take a chance.”
The Reds entered Monday with a 12-5 record since Cabrera has been out and have had Paul Janish fill in well at shortstop.
* Further, in that same article, Sheldon says that the Reds are looking to bring Aaron Harang back as a reliever. Make of that what you will. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Reds wait until September 1 to bring Harang up, after rosters expand.
UPDATE: Okay, I was wrong. So sue me. Today, the Reds recalled Sam LeCure and Chris Valaika (who will make his major league debut).