The Cincinnati Reds have activated outfielder Aristides Aquino from the 60-day injured list, optioned outfielder Mark Payton to Triple-A Louisville, and they placed outfielder Nick Senzel on the 60-day injured list.
Aristides Aquino has been out since mid-April when he suffered a broken hamate bone in his hand and had to have surgery to have it removed (this is the typical procedure with this injury). The Punisher was hitting .231/.286/.769 in 10 games and 14 plate appearances for the Reds at that point – getting nearly all of his playing time as a pinch hitter.
He joined the Triple-A Louisville Bats early this month and had played in six games for the Bats on a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old outfielder had 27 plate appearances, just one strikeout, he walked eight times, doubled twice, hit a homer run and posted a line of .263/.481/.526 in his time in the minors. The slugger will join a red-hot offense right now and provide some real thunder off of the bench and potentially get some starts in more of a platoon role in center.
Mark Payton played in a similar role to Aquino with the big league club. He played in 24 games and got just 22 plate appearances. The 29-year-old struggled as a pinch hitter, going just 4-22 (.182) with no extra-base hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts in his time with Cincinnati this season. He’ll head back and join the Bats and likely find himself getting far more consistent playing time.
As for Nick Senzel – this is mostly just a paper move. The Reds have been saying that he would likely return right after the All-Star break ever since he had his surgery on his knee after tearing his meniscus. Placing him on the 60-day injured list means that they don’t have to designate anyone for assignment from the 40-man roster in order to activate Aristides Aquino. Senzel will also be eligible to return to the team on July 17th – one day after the All-Star break is over.
Glad the Punisher is back. Next call appears to be for Moose who apparently could come back this week. Only a 26 man active roster move will be required. The obvious bubble guys are Freeman and Heineman both of whom (per Fangraphs) can be optioned versus DFA.
I still have my doubts about climbing the mountain to the top of the NLC this year, but this is a good thing. AA should provide more power as should Moose when he returns. Still a lot of ball to play and multiple moving parts still circling. Win today and then focus on the next game/series.
Need to get 2 out of 3 from Milwaukee, Sweep would be amazing but I feel like that might be to much to ask.
this is a worthy move and it was obvious Senzel wasn’t going to be back anytime soon so why not 60 day DL him. We need to give AA some very consistent at bats while the other guys are hurt for the next 4 weeks and see what we’ve got. He probably won’t have much power after hamate surgery but if he can get on base he’s much more athletic than anyone else we have. We have some DH games coming up, give those at bats to AA and see what we have with him. By end of July Senzel will be back and then it might be clearer.
I agree. It’s great to have him back. He’s 27 now and coming in to his prime too.
Way to go Aki 🙂
Okay AA is back, now everyone clamoring for it, should be ecstatic. We will see, what he brings
I’m among those who are glad that AA is back. Let’s see if he gets much in the way of playing time. With a tough schedule over the next four weeks, obviously the need is a good relief pitcher to go with Sims and Antone. The crowded outfield should be a part of that trade. Front office action is needed.
Agree, but the team is playing well so u hate to upset the apple cart. Not sure how long AA could have stayed down for consistent ABs, but I would have pushed it as long as possible. Really NO room for him or Shogo w/ starting 3 OFs playing so well. I can’t see rushing Senzel either, but I fear Reds will. Senzel needs some work on hitting the ball oppo; I don’t see him do that often. Likewise, does he need some PT @ 3B and or 2B ??
I am also very glad he is back, and what did we gain with having Payton on the club. Not much. If he gets some playing time the upside could be tremendous, and we have no idea what Castellanos is going to be thinking at years end.