The Cincinnati Reds have called up outfielder Mark Payton from Triple-A Louisville. He is taking the 26-man roster spot of reliever Cionel Pérez who was optioned down to Triple-A.
Mark Payton has been up with the Reds this season, playing in 10 games and going 1-7 with a walk and a strikeout in that span. He was also up with Cincinnati for eight games last year, doing 3-18 with a double, two walks, and five strikeouts. He’s played in 11 games this year with the Louisville Bats and has hit .283/.353/.413 with four doubles, a triple, five walks, and seven strikeouts in 51 plate appearances.
With the Reds banged up – both Nick Senzel and Mike Moustakas are out of the lineup again today, with Senzel seemingly hobbled a bit last night after having a heel injury over the weekend in Colorado (his knee is what’s bothering him today) – having an outfielder available on the bench could be quite useful. Senzel is available off of the bench today according to manager David Bell.
Last night saw Cionel Pérez pitch the 8th inning for Cincinnati and he allowed a run on a hit and two walks against the Giants. The lefty continues to struggle with is control. He’s pitched in 15 games for the Reds this season and has a walk in 12 of those games and in total has 14 walks in 14.0 innings with 12 strikeouts. The stuff is there for Pérez, but the control simply has to get better if he’s going to find success in the future.
I like Senzel and all but it seems as if he is always hurt. Also I wonder if Derik Johnson’s stock has gone down since the starting pitching is so weak. Every time i hear people call him a genius a reds starter gets shelled and Bauer, Gausman and DeSclafani are all doing really well this year.
I would like to have seen what Rodriguez could do rather than Payton again
Until the REDS get real leadership at the TOP they will never be good! Bell has to learn he doesn’t have to play EVERYONE every game!