The Cincinnati Reds have made a cornucopia of roster moves today, with the biggest one being that they’ve signed catcher Ryan Lavarnway to a Major League deal. That was hardly the only move, though. Curt Casali was played on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right knee. Kyle Farmer was placed on the 7-day concussion list. And David Hernandez was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder fatigue. The team also recalled Josh VanMeter from Triple-A to help fill out the bench, as well as right-handed pitcher Lucas Sims, who seems likely to help fill out the bullpen for the time being. Right-handed pitcher Jesus Reyes was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Lavarnway.
Let’s get back to Ryan Lavarnway. He was signed given the problems the Reds are having at catcher right now. They have three catchers on the injured/concussion list with Tucker Barnhart joining the previously mentioned options there. Juan Graterol just came up from Triple-A Louisville to fill one of the spots the other day. Rather than go with internal options of either Stuart Turner or Chad Tromp in Triple-A, the Reds chose to sign big league veteran Lavarnway.
In 2019 the 31-year-old Ryan Lavarnway had played in 35 games for the Yankees Triple-A team in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He hit .213/.333/.315 in that span. He played in six games at the Major League level in both 2017 and 2018. Across seven seasons he’s played in 146 games at the big league level, though only once has he gotten more than 100 at-bats in a season – back in 2012 with the Boston Red Sox. He’s a career .208/.268/.326 hitters over his 426 Major League plate appearances.
Coming back up
Josh VanMeter and Lucas Sims are coming back up from Triple-A. In Louisville this season Sims has posted a 4.56 ERA in 79.0 innings pitched with 36 walks and 102 strikeouts for the Bats. VanMeter has continued to destroy the baseball since he was sent back a few weeks ago and is hitting .348/.429/.669 in his 211 Triple-A appearances this year.
Interesting that they just signed Ciuffo after the Rays let him go, and they didn’t promote him from Class AA.
He’s recovering from surgery. He won’t be ready to play for at least a few more weeks.
He fits right in with this group then. 🙂
Maybe it was a courtesy-type thing, where the Yankees really didn’t figure to use him, but wanted to give him a chance to get on a MLB team.
I really hope Casali and Farmer heal quickly and no long lasting effects. Concussions are scary.
Seeing the starting lineups will be interesting for the next 7 days.
Senzel and DD both not in line up for tonight’s game.
Winker starting in CF, Ervin LF, Gennett 2B and Iglesias SS.
Why don’t they swing a deal for Lugo and Ramos from the Mets. The Mets are going nowhere this year and are looking to deal. Lugo is a solid reliever and Ramos is solid behind the plate and with the bat. Both are under team control.
Mahle is lucky he’s not the one going to AAA – he certainly deserves it
They eat copious amounts of corn. What’s not to understand?
I want what you are smoking. Sounds great!
And maybe we can get Mike Trout from the Angels, too!
Seen an article wondered if the Reds would trade Castillo to Atlanta for Kyle Wright, Cristiano Pacheco & Drew Waters.
The Reds are always late to the party they need to be proactive communicate with other teams be productive in leveraging a trade for a power hitting McCann for catcher,trade for a veteran player like Bret Gardner from New York Reds have not had winning baseball for so long bring some guys here with proven winning experience in the MLB. All successful winning teams have a mix of vets and rookies! The reds have no players that have been in the dog fight and made the playoffs in the last few years that were on successful winning playoff teams! Find some Peace Nick Reds4life Lets make deals happen. Bell needs to get players that can bunt runners over especially runners on first and second no outs lets Parasa swing into a double play the other night wtf dude appears to sleep on making the right decision;s when needed! 5 years in last place reds wake up get active to the right mix in front office coaches players by going after the good one’s on winning teams that are proven winner’s! 150 yrs in MLB learn from our leaders the Big Red Machine Player’s they no what it takes to win it all!
In case you haven’t noticed, Posey is less than mediocre, has been that way for a couple of years now and isn’t getting any younger. We should only want him if the price is pretty cheap (no top 3 or 4 prospects lets say).
The Reds should be sellers. The party is over for this year. If the Reds do not have the payroll to sign the likes of Puig, Bennett, and Roark, then even if they must shed payroll and see what AAA call ups might do its better than nothing.
If Schebler can find his grove he may still fit as a corner outfielder. There are Bats on the Bats that need a good look at the major level.
Its must over for 2019
I thought Lavarnway did everything imaginable to endear himself with Reds fans his first game with the club. Since then, however he’s been OK.. Lucky guy I guess.. a few million bucks to play cardboard cutout of a catcher. How does one find such gigs?