The Reds have activated right-handed pitcher Brad Brach from the injured list, per a team announcement. In a corresponding move, infielder Alejo Lopez has been optioned Triple-A.
Signed to a minor league deal May 6th, the Reds selected Brach’s contract May 21st. The righty went on to log 29 innings out of the Cincy bullpen, with an ERA of 5.59. Barring a strong finish, this would be Brach’s third consecutive season with an ERA north of 5.00, after seven solid seasons split between the Padres, Orioles and Braves.
Brach’s 24.1% strikeout rate on the year is close to league average, but command has been the issue for him of late. His 12.8% walk rate is well above the league-wide rate of 8.7%, though it’s at least an improvement over the ghastly 24.1% rate he put up in 2020.
Despite dealing with bullpen issues all year, the Reds find themselves holding down the second National League wild card spot, going into today’s games with a half game lead over the Padres. Brach figures to be used in low-leverage situations for the time being, with Mychal Givens, Michael Lorenzen, Lucas Sims and Amir Garrett covering the high-leverage spots.
I guess it speaks to how desperately teams need pitching when an ERA north of 5.00 and a 24.1% walk rate earns you not only another look, but another roster spot on an MLB team…
MLBTR seems to be the only place confused about Garrett’s role with the Reds. He’s been used for clean up almost exclusively for the last month+. Second writer to imply he’s an important cog.
Mlbtraderumors is confused about a lot of things
Amir Garrett is trash
I once tried to lift too much & ended with a bad brach
Brad Bach?
Decisions, decisions, decisions
Worst idiotic move to date