Reds reliever Caleb Ferguson will open the season on the 15-day injured list, manager Terry Francona told reporters (link via Mark Sheldon of MLB.com). The southpaw strained his right oblique and will be shelved for at least a few weeks.
The injury will delay Ferguson’s team debut. The Reds signed him to a one-year, $4.5MM free agent contract. Ferguson is coming off a 3.58 earned run average over 65 1/3 innings split between the Pirates and Mariners. His 18.9% strikeout percentage was easily a career worst, but he compensated by allowing one of the lowest hard contact rates in the sport.
Ferguson hasn’t pitched well this spring, giving up five runs while allowing nine of 13 batters faced to reach base (six hits and three walks). His track record locked him into a bullpen role either way, of course. Ferguson and trade acquisition Brock Burke would have been the two left-handers guaranteed to be on the Opening Day roster.
His injury should increase Sam Moll’s chances of breaking camp. The 34-year-old is out of options and on the roster bubble as the #3 lefty reliever on the depth chart. Moll gave up a 6.38 ERA despite an impressive 27% strikeout rate across 23 big league appearances last year. He has worked six scoreless innings with only one hit allowed this spring, but he has walked six of 23 hitters.
Francona said the Reds aren’t committed to replacing Ferguson with a left-hander, so Moll still doesn’t seem fully assured of a roster spot. Cincinnati would need to trade him or place him on waivers if they squeeze him out.
There’s also at least one spot available for a hard-throwing righty like Luis Mey, Connor Phillips, Zach Maxwell or the recently acquired Kyle Nicolas. Southpaw Brandon Williamson makes sense for a long relief role. Tejay Antone, Hagen Danner and Yunior Marte are among the non-roster invitees vying for jobs.
Nobody’s commented yet? I have no comment.
Those clicks dictate prospect rankings. That’s why dodgers prospects are always overhyped
You guys complain about him more than he actually comments.
I have to agree with king. I hardly ever post, but in almost every article I read, someone preemptively attacks This One in the comments before he ever says a word. Happens WAY more than his supposed big market diatribes.
He wasn’t great with the Yankees but he found it again so hopefully it’s not a long absence to start the season.
Huge blow for the reds opponents
Tejay Antone if healthy makes anyone’s team.
A few years ago, sure. Coming back from his third TJS might be another story.
It is between Antone and Moll with Ferguson out. Probably the lefty though with bullpen needs.
Moll has a huge leg up because he’s already on the 40-man roster and can’t be optioned. Putting Greene on the 60-day IL will open one 40-man spot, but that’s probably going to Nathaniel Lowe.
It wouldn’t be baseball season in Cincy without pitching injuries.
It’s funny cause it’s bigger than a normal hat.
This dude is not very good.
See you around the all star break, at best.