News
Lineup shuffling goes on for Baker
Cincinnati (34-33) vs. Chicago (32-36), 1:10 p.m. ET
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
06/21/09 2:16 AM ET
CINCINNATI -- When it comes to assembling a healthy infield, Reds manager Dusty Baker has had to make like MacGyver and be creative with the tools at his disposal. When it comes to this problem solving, Baker hasn't (yet) resorted to piecing the lineup together with chewing gum, fishing line and a No. 2 pencil. One might wonder if that could be next in the wake of Saturday's news that shortstop Alex Gonzalez went on the 15-day disabled list with bone chips in his right elbow. |
"We'll have to mix and match some more. Someday it will end," Baker said, but he didn't sound like he convincingly believed it.
Gonzalez is the third starting infielder the Reds have placed on the DL this season. They're still without third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and first baseman Joey Votto. Encarnacion has been out since April 28 because of a chip fracture in his left wrist and was just moved to the 60-day DL. Votto hasn't played since May 30 because of a stress-related issue. Before that, he suffered dizziness from an inner-ear infection. Votto's rehab assignment moved to Class A Dayton on Saturday. Gonzalez, who will have surgery to remove the chips, will be out three to four weeks. The Reds will likely use a combination of Jerry Hairston Jr. and Paul Janish at shortstop while Gonzalez is gone. Hairston started Saturday's 10-8 loss to the White Sox and was 0-for-3. The Reds also called up infield reinforcements in Danny Richar and Wilkin Castillo from Triple-A Louisville. Richar is primarily a second baseman that can play shortstop. Castillo is a third catcher but can also play third base, second base and the outfield. "Remember in Spring Training when I said in order for us to win this thing we'd need everybody?" Baker said. "I hoped I wouldn't be right, but that's how it is." Pitching matchupCIN: RHP Aaron Harang (5-6, 3.65 ERA)
A rain delay forced Harang to an early exit in his start on Tuesday against the Braves. Harang threw two shutout innings with three strikeouts until rain ended one of his best starts to a game of the season. He threw 13 pitches in the first inning, all of which crossed the plate as strikes. Baker said that was the best outing from Harang in his two seasons as Reds manager. In his lone career start against the White Sox, Harang is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA. CWS: LHP Mark Buehrle (6-2, 3.43 ERA)
Buehrle hit his first career home run in the third inning against Milwaukee on Sunday, but he also gave up three solo home runs -- two to Corey Hart and one to Casey McGehee -- and got a no-decision. Buehrle went six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. He walked none but threw 114 pitches. Buehrle has faced the Reds just one time in his career, a 4-2 White Sox win on June 13, 2001. In that start he went eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits with no walks. Reds notes
Brandon Phillips left Saturday's game after grounding out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Playing with a hairline fracture in his right thumb, Phillips was jammed by reliever Scott Linebrink and felt a "stinger," Baker said. Phillips stopped running halfway up the base line and came out after a few moments. He was replaced in the ninth inning by Richar. ... Votto was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a single for Class A Dayton in his rehab assignment game on Saturday. Votto also had a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in the Dragons' 8-7 loss to West Michigan. Tickets
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• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Reds (Micah Owings, 4-7, 4.50) at Blue Jays (Scott Richmond, 5-3, 3.58), 7:07 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Reds (Bronson Arroyo, 8-5, 5.16) at Blue Jays (TBD), 7:07 p.m. ET
Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
