The season for left-handed pitcher Cody Reed has come to an end. He hadn’t pitched since late May, but was working his way back from a knee injury. C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports that he had a setback ($ link) and will not return this season.
While September numbers and performance aren’t always indicative of much, for Cody Reed and the Reds it would have given them a little bit of something to look at before spring training in 2020. Reed will be out of options next season and has to either make the 25-man roster, or be exposed to waivers. He’s performed quite well over the last two seasons. In 2018 he posted a 3.98 ERA over 43.0 innings with the Reds while walking just 15 batters and striking out 42. This season he only threw 6.1 innings for the Reds before his injury, but allowed just 1 run. In Triple-A this season he posted a 2.61 ERA in 20.2 innings.
Alex Wood scratched, Lucas Sims into the rotation
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alex Wood saw his back issue pop back up and he has been scratched from his scheduled start tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies. This was first reported by C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. The Reds will turn to Lucas Sims to start tonight in his place.
For Alex Wood it’s just a continuation of his nightmare 2019 season. His back began to have issues in February during spring training. He attempted several comebacks early in the year but was never able to get out to a rehab start before being shut down. Eventually he was able to take the mound on a rehab stint in July, and he returned to the Major League mound at the end of the month. Things haven’t gone well for the left-handed pitcher since returning, though. He’s given up 11 home runs and 41 hits in 35.2 innings over seven starts. That’s led to a 5.80 ERA.
Lucas Sims has started plenty this year. In Triple-A he made 16 starts for Louisville. And he’s made two starts for the Reds this season, too. But it’s also been six weeks since he made his last start. He allowed two home runs and five runs over 4.2 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 24th.
Sims has been better as a reliever this year than as a starter. As a reliever he’s posted a 3.86 ERA in 18.2 innings with 10 walks and 30 strikeouts. As a starter his ERA is 4.85 between Triple-A and the Major Leagues with 38 walks and 116 strikeouts in 91.0 innings.
Whether this is just going to be a 1-start opportunity for Sims is unclear. Tyler Mahle is now back with the club and started over the weekend and could step into this spot in the rotation moving forward. Unlike Sims, Mahle has only pitched in the rotation this year.
I’m actually more disappointed about Cody Reed than Alex Wood. The scenario for keeping Wood beyond 2019 required him to be healthy, and even then things were pretty incertain. Based on his performance and the other options available, I don’t think the Reds will miss him. But Reed was just on the cusp of what may be a really effective major league career. Hopefully he’s Robert Stephenson 2.0 – makes the club out of spring training, pitches well (hopefully really well) and cements an important role in the bullpen or becomes that much coveted left handed starter. I’m still rooting for Cody Reed.
Did Reed suffer an actual acute knee injury, or is this something that just gradually appeared and won’t go away? I think I like the chances better with a fixable injury than with a lingering owie.