Cincinnati Reds Press Clippings April 29, 2015

THIS DAY IN REDS HISTORY 1913-The Reds lose their uniforms when trainer and equipment man Doc Semmons forgets to load the trunks on the train after the April 28 game in St. Louis. Semmons is able to borrow the home uniforms of the White Sox, who are on a road trip.

MLB.COM Cueto, Votto lead Reds to series victory over Brewers By Mark Sheldon and Andy Call / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- Supported by three home runs, ace Johnny Cueto worked a mostly smooth eight innings as the Reds handed the Brewers a 4-2 loss Tuesday to take the first two games of the three-game series. The Reds returned to .500 at 10-10 while the Brewers fell to 4-17.

Cueto gave up two earned runs and three hits without a walk while striking out six to improve to 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA in five starts. He matched the eight innings he threw in his previous start at Milwaukee. Closer Aroldis Chapman pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his fifth save.

"He was terrific," Reds manager Bryan Price said of Cueto. "He got touched up for the two solo home runs and [Adam] Lind hit that opposite-field base hit. Other than that, he was just impeccable."

Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against Kyle Lohse when Joey Votto hit a 1-0 pitch to right-center field for a homer. Lohse retired nine of his next 10 batters, but ran into two-out trouble in the fourth inning. After a Jay Bruce single, Brandon Phillips blistered a 1-0 pitch for a two-run homer to straightaway center field. The next batter, Marlon Byrd, followed with a homer on a 1-2 pitch to make it a 4-0 game.

That was enough breathing room for Cueto, who did not allow a hit until Aramis Ramirez led off the fifth inning with a first-pitch homer to left field. Ryan Braun did likewise to begin the seventh when he sent Cueto's first pitch into the right-field seats to cut Milwaukee's deficit to two runs.

Lohse allowed four earned runs and seven hits over seven innings while striking out five and walking one. He has given up at least one homer in all five of his starts, and eight total this season.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

No. 7 for Votto: Votto's homer, already his team-leading seventh of the season in only 88 plate appearances, snapped a 0-for-15 stretch for the first baseman. His career-high hitless stretch remains 0-for-16, which he had from Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2009. Votto had six homers all of last season in 272 plate appearances.

"I wasn't expecting Votto to swing, or especially to do that kind of damage with it," Lohse said. "He hit a pretty decent down-and- away 1-0 . You just have to tip your hat and say, 'Give me a new ball.'"

Finally, a hit: Ramirez broke up Cueto's no-hit bid when he led off the fifth inning with a 431-foot homer to left. Milwaukee's third baseman came into Tuesday with a career .354 average (17-for-48) and five home runs vs. Cueto. Ramirez was also hit by a pitch in the second inning and he was Milwaukee's only batter to reach safely through the first six innings. More >

Back-to-back jacks: When Phillips connected on a 1-0 Lohse pitch for a two-run shot to straightaway center field in the fourth inning, it was his first homer of the 2015 season. When Byrd followed by slugging a 1-2 pitch the opposite way for a homer to right field, it was the first time this season that the Reds hit back-to-back home runs.

Braun's back: Braun led off the seventh with a home run to right off Cueto, his second homer of the season. The first was April 20, off Cincinnati reliever Burke Badenhop. Braun had been left out of the starting lineup Sunday and Monday.

QUOTABLE

"You don't want to take it for granted that those plays will always be made. But this is my sixth year with Brandon, and there's other people who have been here longer with him, but there is a certain expectation. He's created that by being so consistently good at that position. We're lucky to have that type of infield defense." -- Price, on a slick defensive stop and backhanded throw by Phillips to take a hit away from Logan Schafer in the seventh inning

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The Brewers have opened the season with seven consecutive series losses. "It's tough to do," Lohse said. "It's tough to stomach. It would be one thing if guys didn't care, but we care in here. It's one of the more frustrating things I've ever been through."

WHAT'S NEXT

Brewers: The Brewers will try to win a third consecutive series finale Wednesday at 11:35 a.m. CT/12:35 p.m. ET against Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park. Matt Garza (1-3, 5.16) will start for Milwaukee. The Brewers have an off-day Thursday, then three games in Chicago against the Cubs.

Reds: To close out the Reds' homestand, Michael Lorenzen will be making his Major League debut when he faces the Brewers. In his three starts for Triple-A Louisville, Lorenzen was 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA, with 20 hits, four walks and 12 over 19 innings.

Seeing Cueto dominate becoming second nature for Reds By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- The hardest part of Tuesday night for Reds catcher Brayan Pena was trying to describe his battery mate, Johnny Cueto. The ace of the staff had his second straight eight-inning performance as Cincinnati claimed a 4-2 victory over the Brewers.

"He's one of those guys, I don't know how to answer it," Pena said. "You guys have heard everything from me. It's like déjà vu."

Catching Cueto was an easier task for Pena. The ace right-hander gave up two runs on three hits and hit a batter. There were no walks and six strikeouts with just 85 pitches. He improved to 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA in five starts.

"It doesn't matter who is behind the plate when Johnny's pitching, you just sit down and enjoy the ride," Pena said. "He's just special."

In his previous start vs. the Brewers last Wednesday at Miller Park, Cueto threw a career-high 125 pitches over eight innings and gave up one run for a 2-1 victory. A rainout for the Reds on Saturday gave Cueto an extra day of rest. He came in with a 3.15 ERA in 68 starts when getting five days' rest, compared to a 3.40 ERA on normal rest.

"It was good because we're just starting the season," Cueto said via translator Tomas Vera. "Doing that was a lot. It was God's decision that we got the extra day. It was really good."

Other than hitting Aramis Ramirez with a 1-1 pitch in the second inning, Cueto had a spotless first four innings without a hit allowed. With the Reds and Cueto comfortably leading, 4-0, Ramirez returned in the fifth and crushed a first-pitch curveball for a long home run to left field. He is hitting .367 lifetime vs. Cueto and his six homers are the most hit by any batter against the righty.

"I always want to trick him but he's a really good veteran and a great, great hitter," Cueto said.

Leading off the seventh, Ryan Braun hit the first pitch for a homer to right field to make it a two-run game. Adam Lind followed with a single to left field, but Cueto retired his last six batters in a row.

The game lasted a brisk two hours, 11 minutes. Left fielder Marlon Byrd enjoyed the pace, and the veteran of other clubs knows that it's better to play behind Cueto than hit against him.

"He's smart, his baseball IQ on the mound is unbelievable," Byrd said. "He knows what he's doing. He sets up hitters, he sees swings. He throws to swings he knows hitters can't get to.

"He throws cutters in, cutters away, , the quick pitch, the turn, pause, breaking balls -- he just locates everything. He throws that fastball from 90-95 [mph], sink, four-seam. There's a lot of movement, but he spots every pitch."

Manager Bryan Price made the call to lift Cueto after the eighth inning and have Aroldis Chapman close the game for the save.

When asked if he had more in the tank to pitch, Cueto grinned, but backed the decision.

"Of course, I was ready for the ninth inning," he said. "But that's a manager's decision. He decided to take me out. I feel great."

Reds ready to face obstacles without Bailey Right-hander was placed on the DL Monday with a right elbow sprain By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- The Reds are bracing themselves to not have starting Homer Bailey for a while. Exactly how long depends on the route Bailey and the club takes after he was diagnosed on Monday with a right elbow sprain and placed on the 15-day disabled list.

No decisions have been made. Elbow surgery is possible, which would certainly cost Bailey the rest of the season. "That's one option," Reds manager Bryan Price said on Tuesday. "There's other ways to do things. You can get stronger, [and] all the PRP [platelet-rich plasma injections]. There are other options beyond surgery."

Bailey declined to speak with reporters.

"I can't tell you anything," Bailey said.

Bailey made two starts this season after returning from September surgery that repaired a torn flexor mass tendon near the same right elbow. He was counted on being a big part of the rotation this season for Cincinnati to contend.

Instead, prospect Michael Lorenzen was called up to start on Wednesday vs. the Brewers and take Bailey's place in the rotation.

The Reds are dealing with the loss of not only Bailey, but also catcher Devin Mesoraco since he's been limited to only pinch-hitting duty because of a left hip injury. This could be a big early test for the Reds to pick up and carry on without two key players.

"So we have to continue to believe we have an outstanding team, because I think we do," Price said. "We also have to test our system to see where we are.

"We're definitely being challenged. As you look around, most teams get challenged over the course of the year. We were challenged more than many last year. I think we can weather the current position we're in. I think we can use it as a rallying point."

No. 4 prospect Lorenzen to face Brewers today Right-hander had quick rise after being selected 38th overall in 2013 Draft By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com / [email protected] / @m_sheldon

CINCINNATI -- Pitching prospect Michael Lorenzen had an express trip through the Reds' Minor League system, taking less than two years to go from Draft pick to Major Leaguer. That journey reached its desired point Tuesday when the Reds announced Lorenzen was called up from Triple-A Louisville to make his big league debut vs. the Brewers today.

Lorenzen will replace Homer Bailey in the rotation. Bailey was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Monday with a right elbow sprain.

"It's been an absolute dream come true," Lorenzen said at Great American Ball Park. "The circumstances aren't the best, but I'm going to come in here and do the best I can to do what every tries to do, that's win ballgames. I'm just going to go out there [Wednesday] and enjoy myself and try to put a 'W' on the scoreboard."

Mike Leake, who was originally slated to start today, will move back to pitch Thursday at Atlanta.The Reds still need to make a corresponding roster move to add Lorenzen to both the 25-man and 40-man roster.

"We've had our sights set on Michael for some time," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He came in and threw the ball really well in spring, maybe not statistically, but the ball came out of his hand really well. We think he's mature and ready to handle this type of challenge."

Lorenzen, 23, was the 38th overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal State-Fullerton, and he was ranked as Cincinnati's No. 4 prospect, according to MLB.com. He made a strong bid for a 25-man roster spot as a non-roster invite at Spring Training before being sent down late in camp.

In three starts for Louisville, Lorenzen was 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA, with 20 hits, four walks and 12 strikeouts over 19 innings.

"I learned from each and every one of them, especially my last one," said Lorenzen, who allowed five earned runs and 11 hits in six innings for a loss on Friday vs. Columbus. "Every start I'm trying to learn as much as possible and prepare myself for a day like [today]."

Lorenzen was supposed to start again for the Bats today on normal rest. Raisel Iglesias just pitched on Sunday and wouldn't be able to start again until Friday.

"It wasn't a difficult call. We would be just as happy getting Iglesias," Price said. "[Jon] Moscot is throwing the ball well, as well. But right now is Michael's opportunity."

A center fielder and college closer, Lorenzen didn't learn the craft of starting pitching until he was selected by Cincinnati. Last season at Double-A Pensacola was his first full year in a rotation. In two Minor League seasons, Lorenzen has pitched 160 2/3 innings, so maximum patience wasn't required from Lorenzen even though he couldn't wait for the call.

"When you're a competitor, you want to compete at the highest level as fast as possible," he said. "I did everything I could to show them I was ready as soon as possible. I'm happy they're giving me the opportunity."

Lorenzen makes MLB debut as Reds face Brewers By Andy Call / MLB.com

The Brewers and Reds conclude their series Wednesday, with Cincinnati going for the three-game sweep. Matt Garza (1-3, 5.16 ERA) will start against Michael Lorenzen, who will make his Major League debut. Lorenzen replaces the injured Homer Bailey (sprained right elbow ligament) in the Cincinnati rotation.

The 23-year-old right-hander has been one of the crown jewels of the Cincinnati farm system since being taken in the supplemental first round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. In three starts for Triple-A Louisville, Lorenzen was 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA, with 20 hits, four walks and 12 strikeouts over 19 innings.

He was roughed up in his last start Friday vs. Columbus, a loss where he allowed five earned runs and 11 hits in six innings. Lorenzen said he is hoping his mother, Cheryl, can catch a flight from Southern California to be at the game.

Three things to know

• Opponents are batting .295 off Garza so far this season. But he has a 3.13 ERA in four career starts at Great American Ball Park.

• Jay Bruce has enjoyed some success vs. Garza. Bruce is 9-for-25 with five extra-base hits, including two home runs and six RBIs. He's also struck out nine times.

• The Brewers have won the last game of the series in both of their last two series against Cincinnati and St. Louis.

Ervin stays hot with pair of homers for Daytona Reds' No. 9 prospect, 2013 first-round pick, hitting .343 with six homers through 19 games By Alex M. Smith / MLB.com

Phil Ervin, Cincinnati's No. 9 prospect, led off Advanced Daytona's 9-1 win over Dunedin on Monday night with a blast that landed in the left field bleachers. He then added another home run in the sixth.

Ervin finished 2-for-5 on the night and now has six homers on the season, along with a .343 batting average in 19 games. The 22-year-old outfielder is only one home run shy of his 2014 total, which took him 132 games to reach. Ervin had a .237/.305/.376 slash line at Class A Dayton last season.

"I don't know if it's just that last year I was coming off wrist surgery and the strength wasn't there and now I'm getting it back," Ervin told MiLB.com. "I've always had power, it's just started to come back. I don't want to blame last year on the wrist surgery. It felt fine, I don't want to use that as an excuse for the year I had last year."

The Reds' 2013 first-round pick has displayed his power in 2015, evidenced by his .686 slugging percentage in the .

"Everybody told me it's a ' league, so the fact that I am doing well gives me confidence," Ervin told MiLB.com. "It feels good that I am doing good in a pitchers' league."

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Johnny Cueto helps Reds past Brewers again, 4-2 By C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @ctrent

The Reds will be sad not to see the Brewers again for another two months, and Milwaukee may be happy never to see Johnny Cueto again.

Cueto beat the Brewers for the second time in a week on Tuesday, as the Reds topped Milwaukee, 4-2, in front of an announced crowd of 19,238 at Great American Ball Park. Cueto improved to 2-2 on the season and 2-0 against the Brewers, while the Reds improved to 10-10 on the season and 5-1 against Milwaukee.

Cueto allowed a grand total of eight hits and three runs over 16 innings against the Brewers in the two starts. Tuesday he again went eight innings, allowing two runs on three hits. He needed just 85 pitches this time, instead of the career-high 124 he used in his last outing against the Brewers.

Even verbose catcher Brayan Pena was short of words to describe yet another Cueto gem.

"He's one of those guys, I don't know how to answer it. You guys have heard everything from me," Pena said. "It's like déjà vu. He's one of those guys that's special. Words can't describe how good he is, and competitive. He just went out there, he allowed those homers. He was like 'OK, nothing happened. Just go back there and do what I do best.'"

Cueto held the Brewers hitless until the fifth inning. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter, even though he did hit one.

"I think I just had confidence," Cueto said, according to interpreter Tomas Vera. "Every time you go to the mound, you have to be confident about yourself."

Cueto said it's difficult to face a team twice in a row like he did, but it looked easy from afar.

However, Milwaukee's Kyle Lohse showed just how hard it can be. Lohse dominated the Reds last Thursday, allowing just three hits and two runs over seven innings.

He was good on Tuesday, but not as good. He allowed four runs on seven hits, with all of the Reds' runs coming on home runs.

Joey Votto entered the game hitless in his last 15 at-bats, but quickly ended that streak, sending a 1-0 pitch from Lohse into the seats in right-center field, good for his seventh home run of the season.

The Reds struck again with two outs in the fourth. This time Jay Bruce laced a single to right, and Brandon Phillips launched a 1-0 sinker from Lohse onto the bern in front of the batter's eye. Marlon Byrd followed with a solo shot, his second homer of the season and first at GABP. Both of Byrd's homers have come against Lohse.

They were the Reds' first back-to-back homers of the season.

The Brewers didn't have a hit until Aramis Ramirez led off the fifth with his second home run of the season and the sixth of his career against Cueto. No player in baseball has hit more home runs off of Cueto than Ramirez. Alfonso Soriano and Andrew McCutchen are the only other players to have as many as four career home runs against Cueto.

"I don't know," Cueto said when asked what it is about Ramirez that gives him so much trouble. "I always want to trick him but he's a really good veteran and a great, great hitter."

Ryan Braun scored the Brewers' second run with his second homer of the season, putting Cueto's first pitch of the seventh inning into the seats in right field. It was the first time Braun had homered off of Cueto in his career.

After Adam Lind followed Braun's homer with a single to right, that brought up Ramirez, who had until that inning represented the only two baserunners against Cueto with a chance to tie the game with one swing of the bat. But this time Cueto got him to pop up to right.

The next batter, Logan Schafer, fell victim to yet another Phillips defensive gem. This time, the speedy Schafer hit one to the right side just past Votto at first and Phillips was able to field the ball at full speed and flip the ball backhanded to Votto in time to get the second out of the inning. Cueto finished off the inning with a of Martin Maldonado.

Despite his career numbers against Cueto (18-for-49), Ramirez said facing Cueto is never easy.

"You don't want to get behind a guy like that," Ramirez said. "He's got too many weapons. He's got a good cutter, good , throws pretty hard. Good splitter, good . This guy's got a lot of pitches, so the last thing you want to do is get behind a guy like that."

Now his teammate, Byrd has even better numbers against Cueto (9-for-16 with two home runs), but he said he'd much rather play behind Cueto than face him.

"He's smart, his baseball IQ on the mound is unbelievable," Byrd said. "He knows what he's doing. He sets up hitters, he sees swings. He throws to swings he knows hitters can't get to. He throws cutters in, cutters away, changeups, the quick pitch, the turn, pause, breaking balls — he just locates everything. He throws that fastball from 90-95, sink, four-seam. There's a lot of movement, but he spots every pitch."

The only one who could stop Cueto on Tuesday seemed to be his manager, Bryan Price, who took him out after eight innings in favor of Aroldis Chapman. Chapman worked a perfect ninth for his fifth save of the season.

Asked afterward if he could have gone another inning, Cueto smiled and neither the question nor the answer needed Vera's assistance.

"Of course, I was ready for the ninth inning," Cueto added, according to Vera. "But that's a manager's decision. He decided to take me out. I feel great."

Injuries put Reds to the test early By John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @Johnfayman

You lose a lot of games over the course of a season. Even the best teams lose 60 games or so.

So no one loss has a huge effect on the psyche of a ballclub.

Losing a player is a whole different thing. You saw that in Bryan Price's face Monday night. Price and the Reds got some devastating news just before the game with Milwaukee: Something bad was wrong with Homer Bailey's elbow.

The particulars of how to proceed with the injury had not been determined — and they still haven't — but the bottom line was clear.

"He's not going to pitch here any time in the near future," Price said.

Bailey's absence comes on top of the fact that catcher Devin Mesoraco can no longer catch. He's been reduced to a pinch-hitter role for the foreseeable future by an impingement in his left hip.

Even the most optimistic forecasts for the club going into this season had the "if healthy" clause.

Now, less than a month into the season, the Reds are facing some major adversity.

Can they overcome it?

"You have to," Price said. "I think you're only as good as you think you are. So we have to continue to believe we have an outstanding team, because I think we do. We also have to test our system to see where we are."

Testing the minor-league system also has trickle-down effect. Michael Lorenzen was called up to take Bailey's spot in the rotation. He may well be up to that task. But Lorenzen was also a top candidate to help the bullpen, which has been awful — worst in the National League with a 5.54 ERA.

On the pitching side, there are other options. Price mentioned Raisel Iglesias, Robert Stephenson, David Holmberg and Jon Moscot.

"We've evaluated some of our pitchers at a very high level. We think very highly of Michael Lorenzen, as we do Iglesias and Stephenson and Moscot — and Holmberg — guys we think can come up and help us over the course of this year. So we're going to be challenged in that way."

"Tucker Barnhart will play a role on this team until Devin gets back. He'll be involved in catching every third or fourth day and have some influence on the success of our ball club. We're definitely being challenged. As you look around, most teams get challenged over the course of the year. We were challenged more than many last year. I think we can weather the current position we're in. I think we can use it as a rallying point."

One of the reasons the Reds struggled last year was injuries. Fifteen players made 19 appearances on the DL. The Reds' top offensive players coming into the season — Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce — all missed chunks of time.

That led to other players trying to do more than they're capable of to compensate for the injuries.

"You could look back on last year as a gauge or reflection of that," he said. "I think there were certain guys on our team that just tried to throw the team on their back and carry it. It's just not that type of a game.

"It's an impossible game to take over as an individual, especially if you're not a pitcher. A starting pitcher can take over a ballgame. It's a lot harder for a position player to do that for an extended period of time."

Lorenzen will take Bailey's spot in Reds' rotation By John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @Johnfayman

Right-hander Mike Lorenzen will take Homer Bailey's place in the Reds' rotation.

Lorenzen, the 23-year-old right-hander, will make his major-league debut in tomorrow's game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

How long Bailey will be out remains to be seen. "Tommy John" surgery is one option, which would mean missing the rest of the season. Bailey was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained ligament in his right elbow.

"We've yet to make a decision," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Homer needs some time. I think Homer would do whatever we wanted him to do.

"As it stands right now, we're undecided on where we're going to go. He won't be pitching in the near future based on what avenues we choose to follow to get him back right. Obviously, one would be a fairly significant time loss. The other would be less time loss. At this point, we haven't made a decision."

Bailey declined to speak to reporters.

"I can't tell you anything," he said.

Surgery is obviously the most drastic option.

"That's one option," Price said. "There's other ways to do things. You can get stronger. All the PRP (platelet-rich plasma injections). There are other options beyond surgery. That being said, that would be one option."

Lorenzen was 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA in four starts for Triple-A Louisville. He was a first-round pick (38th overall) in the 2013 draft.

The Reds pushed Mike Leake back one day to keep Lorenzen on turn.

"It's Lorenzen's day to pitch," Price said. "It gives Mike an extra day."

Lorenzen was picked over Raisel Iglesias, who made one start for the Reds earlier.

"We have had our sights set on Michael for some time," Price said. "He came in and threw the ball really well in the spring, maybe not statistically, but the ball came put of his hand really well. We think he's mature and ready to handle this type of challenge.

"It wasn't a difficult call. We would just as happy getting Iglesias. (Jon) Moscot is throwing the ball well as well. But right now is Michael's opportunity."

Bailey had elbow surgery to repair a flexor mass strain in September. He started the season on the DL. He's made two starts.

He went 5 2/3 innings in each. He allowed two runs on seven hits in his last outing, a 4-2 loss to Milwaukee Thursday.

Bailey had some stiffness and soreness after the starts.

"That's typical of someone coming off surgery or even someone healthy," Price said. "We didn't anticipate it would eventually lead to problems that would shut him down. We were just doing due diligence. He felt pretty good. We were all amazed his elbow had this kind of problem."

Bailey, 28, was limited to 23 starts last year. He went on the disabled list Aug. 7 after injuring himself swinging the bat in a 4-0 victory over Cleveland.

He tried rehabbing the elbow but ended up having season-ending surgery on Sept. 5.

Bailey signed a six-year, $105 million contract extension on Feb. 20 of last year.

Tony Cingrani to stay in Reds' bullpen By C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @ctrent

Even with Homer Bailey's injury, Tony Cingrani will stay in the bullpen as Michael Lorenzen will start Wednesday against the Brewers. Although Cingrani had been a starter until this year, Reds manager Bryan Price said he thinks Cingrani is more of a help to the team in the bullpen.

Price said he was the main voice who initially wanted Cingrani to start the season in the bullpen and not in the rotation — and not just for immediate help in the bullpen.

"I still feel like at this point time he helps us more as a relief pitcher, if he is the type of the pitcher I think he can be as a relief pitcher," Price said on Tuesday. "That doesn't close the door on his chances of starting in the future, or maybe in the second half of the season if we need him. I kind of like him now where he is and he should be getting more opportunity."

At this point, Cingrani would probably have to go to the minors to get stretched out if he were to return to starting, Price said.

The 25-year-old lefty has appeared in just four games, throwing a total of 5 1/3 innings overall, and even Price noted, "I haven't really given him a great opportunity to contribute."

With the team's ongoing bullpen issues, Cingrani is expected to get more work than he did in the first three weeks of the season.

"What I felt was it was where he was best suited coming off a year of a lot of injury and shoulder concerns and the limited development of his off-speed pitches," Price said. "It just seemed like for him to be able to come in there and maybe cut his mix of pitches to two and come in and be that … it just seemed to fit his nature – very, very aggressive, doesn't really back off and feel his way through six to nine innings. He goes as hard as he can, as long as he can. I think his temperament is suited better, at this point in time, as a relief pitcher. Some day he may prove me wrong and be a great starting pitcher. I wouldn't that's an impossible thing to have happen."

Lorenzen's 'patience' pays off with first big-league start By C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @ctrent

As he sat in the Reds' dugout, the night before his big-league debut, Michael Lorenzen talked about his patience to get to the big leagues.

That elicited a couple of snickers from the assembled media members. Lorenzen was drafted less than two years ago and has just 160 2/3 innings pitched in .

"Not too patient, but when you're a competitor, you want to compete at the highest level as fast as possible," Lorenzen said when it was noted he didn't have to be too patient. "So I did everything I could to show them I was ready as soon as possible and I'm happy they're giving me the opportunity they're giving me."

Lorenzen's development went at light speed considering he was a center fielder in college that would close, but didn't do much more than throw heat.

The Reds not only drafted him as a pitcher with the 38th overall pick in June of 2013, but also converted him to a starter. For the first time in his life, Lorenzen concentrated on just pitching. He moved through four levels in his first season of pro baseball, ending the season at Double-A Pensacola. He pitched there all of last season and then started this year at Triple-A Louisville, going 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts before getting the call to take Homer Bailey's place in the Reds' rotation.

"I think there are certain guys that just get it," Price said of Lorenzen. "They understand baseball. They understand the position. It probably doesn't hurt, like [Mike Leake], he was an offensive player in college as well. Certain benefits go with that, just understanding what hitters are trying to do, vulnerabilities and things of that nature."

Being blessed with a special right arm doesn't hurt, either. Lorenzen's fastball flirts with 100 mph on the radar gun, but he's shown the ability to do more than just throw hard during his short run through the Reds' minor leagues.

"Obviously the fastball lights up the radar gun, it's got good sink and stuff, but his slider, for a slider, it'll light up a radar gun as well," said catcher Tucker Barnhart, who caught Lorenzen's first start of the season in Louisville. "I saw him 86, 88 at times and it's a very good out pitch, I'd say."

Lorenzen said he got the call to head up I-71 from Louisville to Cincinnati on Tuesday morning. After calling his mom, he made his way north.

"It seemed like it took forever," said Lorenzen, who obviously struggles at times with his patience. "Right when I finally got here, that's when it hit me the most, when I walked into the clubhouse and saw Tucker and (Kristopher) Negron and I was like, wow, I'm here. I went into Price's office and it just hit me."

An alternative to surgery for Homer Bailey? By John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @Johnfayman

One of the options for treating Homer Bailey's sprained elbow ligament involves PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections.

Reds manager Bryan Price mentioned it as a possibility Tuesday.

Carlos Contreras, the player called up to take Bailey's roster spot, avoided "Tommy John" surgery in 2010 with rest and PRP.

"The PRP really helped," he said. "It felt way better. I had it in the middle of 2010. They were talking about surgery. They said try the PRP and see how it goes.

"I was fine for spring training the next year."

Contreras hasn't missed any time since.

"It's been good," he said.

Bailey and Contreras are different cases. Contreras was a 19-year-old prospect when he had the elbow problem. Bailey is a 28-year- old big leaguer with a $105-million contract.

But the New York Yankees decided against surgery for Masahiro Tanaka last year to repair a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament. He spent two months rehabbing. He's 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA in four starts this year.

BAR: Homer Bailey's injury brings questions By C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Enquirer / [email protected] / @ctrent

There were few specifics available — or that anyone was willing to share — about Homer Bailey on Monday.

Reds manager Bryan Price was dour, Bailey wasn't happy. I only exchanged brief pleasantries with Bailey, but it's safe to say he wasn't in a great mood, and who can blame him.

When it comes down to it, what pitchers do isn't natural or good for the human body. We should be more shocked when pitchers don't get hurt.

It would be reckless to suggest what exactly the diagnosis is for Bailey, but he did have an MRI on Monday, and Price noted that the Reds don't expect him back anytime soon.

Price said the Reds haven't decided what they're going to do for Thursday's start, noting there were considerations that would require freeing up a roster spot and one that wouldn't.

While Raisel Iglesias pitched in Bailey's spot earlier this year, he started Sunday for Louisville, which means Thursday would be short rest, something that seems unlikely.

There are five other starters on the 40-man roster right now — Amir Garrett (in High-A and scheduled to start tonight), David Holmberg (at Triple-A, but started on Monday), Josh Smith (in Double-A, who would be on regular rest tonight, but Pensacola's starter is listed as TBA), Keyvius Sampson (who started the season in extended spring and has yet to pitch this season) and Matt Magill (in Triple-A, but - like Iglesias - started in Sunday's doubleheader).

That would seem to mean the Reds would either have to go with Garrett (unlikely), Smith (possible) or make a roster move to get another pitcher - likely Michael Lorenzen, the call-up.

Lorenzen, who is not on the 40-man roster, is 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts at Louisville. He's coming off his worst start of the season, allowing five runs on 11 hits over six innings on Friday.

To get Lorenzen up, the Reds would need to make room on the 40-man roster, something they could do simply by placing Bailey on the 60-day disabled list. But they would have to be sure Bailey wouldn't be ready for two months. Or they could keep Carlos Contreras, called up Monday, in the bullpen and make room by designating a reliever.

This all, of course, is the short-term question. The longer term question is about Bailey, and that's not going to have a quick answer, either.

This is what Price said Monday, and it's not encouraging: "How we're going to go about dealing with it is something that will evolve over the next few days," Price said. "At this point, it looks like there are options. I think we have to continue to get our group together and see what the best option is for Homer and our ballclub to make sure his long-term health isn't compromised."

"He certainly won't be pitching here in the near future."

MINOR LEAGUE ROUNDUP

• Triple-A: Indianapolis 7, Louisville 6: Sam LeCure got the loss, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks without retiring a batter. Starter David Holmberg allowed four runs on five hits with three walks over 4.1 innings. IF Ivan De Jesus was 4-for-5 and is hitting .383 on the season. P Nick Christiani had a two-run double for the Bats.

• Double-A: Biloxi 8, Pensacola 2: 3B Seth Mejias-Brean was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Starter Daniel Wright gave up four runs on six hits over five innings.

• High-A: Daytona 10, Dunedin 0: Starter Sal Romano threw six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, as his offense hit three homers to back him. Homering for the Tortugas were C Joe Hudson, SS Alex Blandino and RF Sebastian Elizalde. Phillip Ervin was 2-for-3 with two RBI.

DAYTON DAILY NEWS Bailey won’t be back any time soon By Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News

CINCiNNATI — Don’t look for Homer Bailey to appear pitching on a mound near you any time soon. Probably not for a long time.

While neither the club nor Bailey will say it, the three words most dreaded by a pitcher, “Tommy John Surgery,” lurk as a possibility in Bailey’s immediate future.

The Cincinnati Reds put the 28-year-old pitcher on the 15-day disabled list before Monday’s game with a sprained right elbow ligament. That’s an injury that too often leads to Tommy John surgery to replace the ligament.

And the injury is unrelated to his previous surgery last year to repair a torn flexor muscle in his right forearm. That forced him to rehabilitate the forearm all winter and to fall behind during spring training.

HE MADE TWO STARTS in the last two weeks and when the elbow began to ache he underwent ultrasound and an MRI. It is believed there is a tear in the ligament. If Tommy John surgery is needed, rehab is usually 12 to 18 months.

TO TAKE BAILEY’S place the Reds called up Michael Lorenzen from Class AAA Louisville and he will make his major league debut Wednesday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Manager Bryan Price and the Reds are extremely high on Lorezen, a 23-year-old right hander who played outfield at Cal State- Fullerton for eight innings and then trotted to the mound as the team’s closer.

“He has a big fastball and he can sink the ball and he has a true four-seamer that gets close to 100 miles an hour,” said Price. “He has a short little slider and a nice changeup.

“HE WAS A CENTER fielder in college and very, very good, a player some thought would be a high pick as an outfielder,” said Price. The Reds drafted him with the 38th overall pick in 2011 and immediately decided to turn him into a pitcher.

“He handles the bat, he runs well and he understands the game from both the offensive and defensive sides,” said Price. “And he has really good stuff. Now it is just the maturation period of learning to pitch at this level.

“There are certain guys who just get it, guys who understand baseball, they understand the position,” said Price. “And it probably doesn’t hurt that, like Mike Leake (shortstop), that he was an offensive player, a position player in college. It gives them an understanding of what hitters are trying to do.”

IF THIS IS TRUE, and it comes from a good source inside the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse, I salute manager Ron Roenicke.

Even though his job hangs precariously, Roenicke showed some managerial guts Monday. On Sunday he had superstar/PED-user Ryan Braun in the lineup against the Cardinals. But Braun asked out of the lineup.

The Brewers beat the Cardinals without Braun, so when Roenicke made out his lineup card Monday to face the Reds, he left Braun out and said something like, “We did OK without him Sunday.”

Braun sat until there were two outs in the ninth and the Brewers trailed the Reds, 9-6, with two on base. Roenicke sent Braun up to pinch-hit against Aroldis Chapman and a home run would tie the game. Braun struck out.

FOXSPORTSOHIO.COM Injuries piling up for Reds yet again By Hal McCoy / FOX Sports Ohio

CINCINNATI -- The season is only 19 games old and unfortunately it already seems like a summer rerun of their own documentary -- The Summer of 2014.

After a litany of injuries ruined their opportunities last season, it has begun again.

First, it was catcher Devin Mesoraco's hip that has prevented him catching since the first week of the season.

And now it is pitcher Homer Bailey, placed on the disabled list Monday with a right elbow ligament sprain. While the club is not saying it, Tommy John surgery lurks in the background for the 28-year-old right-hander who owns two no-hitters.

What is so devastating to Bailey is that he spent all winter and most of spring training rehabilitating his surgically repaired right forearm.

The elbow ligament is an entirely different injury and rehabbing from possible Tommy John surgery is a 12 to 18-month process.

So the challenges are surfacing early for manager Bryan Price and his Reds after he got to use his projected starting lineup for last season only 12 times all year.

Taking Bailey's place and starting Wednesday afternoon against Milwaukee will be Michael Lorenzen, a hard-throwing right-hander making his major league debut.

"We're definitely being challenged," said Price. "But as you look around most teams get challenged during the course of the year. We were challenged more than most last year.

"But you are only as good as you think you are. We have to continue to believe we have an outstanding team, because I believe we do," he added. "We have to test our system, too, to see where we are. We've evaluated some of our pitchers at a very high level. We think highly of Lorezen, as we do of Raisel Iglesias, Robert Stephenson, Jon Moscot and David Holmberg."

And while Brayan Pena will do the bulk of the catching during Mesoraco's absence from behind the plate, Price said, "Tucker Barnhart will play a role until Devin gets back, catching every third or fourth day and have some influence on the success of our ball club."

Price, Mr. Good Thoughts when it comes to being optimistic, boldly said, "I think we can weather the current position we're in."

In fact, Price tries to put a plus on the situation.

"We can use it as a rallying point," he said.

What the Reds have to do is to not have individual players try to do too much, try to take up the slack by themselves.

"You can look back on last year as a gauge and a reflection of that," said Price. "There were certain guys who just tried to throw the team on their backs and carry it. It is just not that type of game. It is nice when a hitter gets hot for 10 days and hits six homers and drives in 12 runs. You say, 'Man, that guy really carried the offense.' But there are guys on base, other guys contributing to the hot guy's damage.

"It is an impossible game to take over as an individual if you are not a pitcher," Price added. "A starting pitcher can take over a ball game but it is lot harder for a position player."

On Bailey, Price said the team is still gathering information to come to a conclusion. While he mentioned possible surgery, he said there are other options.

"We have to make decisions on which way to attack this," he said. "He won't be pitching in the near future. One is significant time lost (Tommy John surgery) and the other would be less significant time lost. There are other options."

Mike Leake was scheduled to pitch Wednesday, but he is being moved back to Thursday in Atlanta because it is Lorenzen's turn to pitch.

"We've had our sights set on Michael for a long time, especially when he came to spring and threw the ball really well. We think he is mature and ready to handle this challenge."

Cueto tough not to take for granted By Kevin Goheen / FOX Sports Ohio

CINCINNATI -- The Reds beat Milwaukee 4-2 Tuesday night. Johnny Cueto completed eight innings, allowing just two runs on three hits without walking a batter. He struck out six, which is a conservative number for him but maybe he felt like letting his defense play a little behind him.

It's hard not to take Johnny Cueto for granted. He's that good. He's that good all of the time. Cueto actually makes things hard on his teammates. Guys can only find so many words to describe Cueto.

"That's what I tell you guys," said catcher Brayan Pena. "You have to go back and look for the same thing. All right Pena, it's the same thing over and over again. He's unbelievable."

Jay Bruce, whose locker is cater-corner from Pena's, asked if he could catch Cueto successfully. Pena had little doubt the right fielder could. Not because of Bruce's hidden abilities as a catcher, mind you.

Cueto is that good. Cueto doesn't take himself for granted, an attitude that permeates to the rest of the club.

"He doesn't allow you to," said Pena. "He's always trying to make you focus and he's always trying to give you the best out of him. He's not one of those guys who believes nothing like that. He just goes out there and proves every single day that he belongs in the big leagues. He proves every day that he's hungry. That keeps you going."

Cueto very well could've finished off the game for his 10th career complete game. He had thrown just 85 pitches and certainly wasn't tired. Manager Bryan Price instead called on Aroldis Chapman to close out the game, which he did in typical one-two-three fashion that included two strikeouts.

Maybe that was Price's way of telling Cueto the Reds don't take him for granted. Last week in Milwaukee, Cueto needed 125 pitches to get through eight innings against the Brewers in a game the Reds won 2-1 with a run in the top of the ninth inning. It was the most pitches he had ever thrown in a game.

Price is cognizant of how much the Reds rely on Cueto and how much Cueto delivers for them each time he takes the mound. Price didn't need to rely on Cueto this time, so he gave his ace a breather in the ninth.

Cueto gave the Reds a breather the first eight innings. He retired 12 of the first 13 Brewers he faced, allowing on Aramis Ramirez to reach base on a hit-by-pitch in the first four innings. Ramirez got Milwaukee's first hit of the game, a home run leading off the fifth inning but by that time the Reds had a 4-0 lead. Cueto gave up another lead-off homer to Ryan Braun in the seventh inning, followed by a single to left field by Adam Lind but that was all he allowed.

It was the first time this season the Reds had scored more than two runs while Cueto was on the mound. It only gave Cueto greater confidence.

"Today was real comfortable to work," said Cueto via interpreter Tomas Vera. "I just left two hanging pitches there and got two home runs out of that but I felt really comfortable tonight."

A comfortable Cueto means good things for the Reds.

"He's smart. His baseball IQ on the mound is unbelievable. He knows what he's doing," said left fielder Marlon Byrd, who playing behind Cueto for the first time in his career.

Byrd is one of the few hitters who has had success against Cueto. He's got nine hits in 19 plate appearances against Cueto, including two home runs. He hit a home run off Cueto for Pittsburgh in the NL Wild Card game in 2013. Ramirez is another. The home run he hit off Cueto Tuesday was the sixth of his career among 18 hits he's had off of Cueto.

They are among the few who can claim such success.

"He sets up hitters," said Byrd. "He sees swings. He throws to swings that he knows you can't get to. Cutters in. Cutters away. Changeups. Quick pitch. A turn, pause. Breaking balls. He locates everything."

That's Johnny Cueto. He's that good. He's that hard not to take for granted.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Cueto dominates Brewers again, Reds hit 3 homers in 4-2 win By Joe Kay / The Associated Press

CINCINNATI — Johnny Cueto had another great time against the team that can barely touch him.

The right-hander gave up three hits over eight innings during his latest dominant performance against the Milwaukee Brewers, and Brandon Phillips had a two-run homer Tuesday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-2 victory over the worst team in the majors.

"I felt really comfortable," Cueto said. "It was really comfortable to work."

It always is when he's facing the Brewers.

Cueto (2-2) gave up homers to Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Braun as he got his sixth straight win over the Brewers. He's 9-3 career against Milwaukee, including 8-0 in 11 career starts at Great American Ball Park.

Aroldis Chapman retired the side in the ninth for his fifth save in as many chances, leaving the Brewers 1-7 on the road.

Joey Votto and Marlon Byrd added solo homers off Kyle Lohse (1-4) as the Reds clinched the series. Half of their 10 wins this season have come against Milwaukee.

The Brewers fell to 4-17, the worst start by a National League team in 18 years, according to STATS. The 1997 Chicago Cubs had an identical record. The 2010 Baltimore Orioles were the last team in the majors to open a season 4-17.

Braun was back in right field after getting the last two days off as part of a lineup shake-up. He hit his second homer of the season, but it didn't much matter.

Votto ended an 0-for-15 slump with his seventh homer of the season in the first inning.

Phillips hit a two-run homer to center field in the fourth, his first of the season. Phillips' first 18 hits were singles, a streak he snapped with a double on Monday night during a 9-6 win over the Brewers.

Four pitches later, Byrd gave the Reds their first back-to-back homers of the season and a 4-0 lead that felt like more than enough with Cueto pitching.

"One run feels pretty good," Byrd said. "It was nice to get him an early lead and let him settle in. He's smart. His baseball IQ — he knows what he's doing."

Ramirez led off the fifth inning with a homer into the upper deck in left field, the Brewers' first hit off Cueto. It was Ramirez's sixth career homer off Cueto — the most by any batter — and the first homer on the road by the Brewers this season.

"I don't know," Cueto said. "Every time I face him, I want to trick him. He's a veteran and a great hitter."

LIND'S STREAK

Adam Lind singled through an infield shift in the seventh, extending his hitting streak to seven games. He's 11 for 26 with two homers during the streak.

RAMIREZ HITS CUETO

Ramirez's homer left him 18 for 49 (.367) career off Cueto with the six homers. It was his 367th homer as a third baseman, one behind Graig Nettles for fifth place on the career list.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers: 2B Scooter Gennett expects to get the five stitches in his left hand removed on Wednesday. He cut it by the knuckle on a soap holder in the shower at PNC Park and went on the 15-day DL on April 21.

Reds: The club is exploring treatment options, including surgery, for the damaged ligament in Homer Bailey's pitching elbow. He went on the DL on Monday and will be sidelined for a significant time.

ON DECK

Brewers: Matt Garza (1-3) makes his first start against the Reds this season. He went 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in three starts against them last year.

Reds: Right-hander Michael Lorenzen makes his major league debut, filling in for Bailey. The 23-year-old has a fastball that comes in at nearly 100 mph. He also throws a slider and a change-up.

Brewers-Reds Preview By The Associated Press

The Cincinnati Reds' play against the lowly Milwaukee Brewers remains a bright spot amid a mediocre start.

The Reds can complete a series sweep by handing the Brewers an eighth straight road defeat Wednesday.

Cincinnati (10-10) has recorded half of its victories in six games against Milwaukee, which at 4-17 is off to the worst start by an NL team since the Chicago Cubs had the same mark in 1997. Baltimore was the last club to open 4-17 in 2010. Both the Cubs and Orioles went 4-18.

''It's tough to stomach," losing pitcher Kyle Lohse said after Tuesday's 4-2 defeat. "No one in here is giving up. It would be one thing if you see guys going out there and they don't care. We care.''

Joey Votto hit his seventh homer, Brandon Phillips added a two-run shot and Marlon Byrd also went deep for the Reds, who have hit half of their 24 homers and averaged 6.5 runs against Milwaukee. They've averaged 3.0 runs in the other 14 games.

Votto, who went 0 for 15 in four games prior to recording two hits Tuesday, has three home runs and five RBIs against the Brewers. Byrd went 0 for 10 with four strikeouts in the first three matchups but is 4 for 10 with two homers, four RBIs and one strikeout in the last three.

Byrd, Votto and Phillips are hitting a combined .250 against Milwaukee's Matt Garza (1-3, 5.16 ERA) with three of their 17 hits leaving the park.

Garza, who went 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in three starts against the Reds in 2014, was 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in three at Cincinnati before throwing a two-hitter and striking out nine during a 1-0 victory July 5.

The right-hander is trying to find his form after yielding 28 hits and 11 walks over 22 2-3 innings this season. He gave up three runs, seven hits and walked two in six innings of Friday's 3-0 loss to St. Louis.

''I made progress, but it's about time for that progress to kick into results,'' Garza said.

Milwaukee has a 5.88 ERA against the Reds - 1.01 higher than its season mark - and has been held to two or fewer runs in half of the meetings.

Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez each hit their second home runs and Adam Lind had the other hit Tuesday for Milwaukee, which dropped eight straight road games Aug. 26-Sept. 3. The Brewers have lost eight of 10 at Cincinnati.

Braun has recorded both home runs, six of his 15 hits and three of his five RBIs against Cincinnati.

The Brewers hope they can spoil the major league debut of right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who will replace the injured Homer Bailey. The hard-throwing, 23-year-old Lorenzen went 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA at Triple-A Louisville.

"We've had our sights set on Michael for some time," manager Bryan Price told MLB's official website. "He came in and threw the ball really well in spring, maybe not statistically, but the ball came out of his hand really well. We think he's mature and ready to handle this type of challenge."

TRANSACTIONS Date Transaction 04/29/15 New York Mets optioned Rafael Montero to Las Vegas 51s. New York Mets recalled Jack Leathersich from Las Vegas 51s. 04/28/15 Houston Astros recalled Jonathan Villar from Fresno Grizzlies. Houston Astros placed SS Jed Lowrie on the 15-day disabled list. Ligament tear in right thumb. Los Angeles Dodgers placed LF Carl Crawford on the 15-day disabled list. Right oblique strain. Tampa Bay Rays activated LHP Xavier Cedeno. Tampa Bay Rays designated LHP Everett Teaford for assignment. Boston Red Sox recalled Jackie Bradley Jr. from Pawtucket Red Sox. Boston Red Sox optioned Steven Wright to Pawtucket Red Sox. optioned LF Domonic Brown to Lehigh Valley IronPigs. New York Yankees optioned Gregorio Petit to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. New York Yankees recalled Chase Whitley from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Washington Nationals optioned Rafael Martin to Syracuse Chiefs. Washington Nationals recalled A.J. Cole from Syracuse Chiefs. Tampa Bay Rays sent LHP Jake McGee on a rehab assignment to Charlotte Stone Crabs. New York Mets optioned Danny Muno to Las Vegas 51s. New York Mets recalled RHP Rafael Montero from Las Vegas 51s. Philadelphia Phillies transferred RHP Jonathan Pettibone from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Recovering from June 2014 right shoulder surgery Philadelphia Phillies optioned Hector Neris to Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Philadelphia Phillies selected the contract of RHP Severino Gonzalez from Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Toronto Blue Jays selected the contract of Jonathan Diaz from Buffalo Bisons. Toronto Blue Jays placed SS Jose Reyes on the 15-day disabled list. Cracked left rib New York Yankees placed RHP Masahiro Tanaka on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 24, 2015. Right forearm strain. Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Enrique Hernandez from Oklahoma City Dodgers.