Rookie Mike Leake has been relegated to the bullpen effective immediately.
Leake came straight to the Reds from Arizona State University without stepping foot in a minor league dugout. He has been a pleasant surprise all year to a rotation that looks nothing like it did to start the season.
Much as been chronicled about innings pitched for the young right-hander. Obviously, baseball seasons at the college level are not nearly as long as in MLB.
He pitched 121 innings in 2008 and 142 in 2009. So far in 2010 he has logged 135.2 frames for the Reds.
He has a record of 8-4 with a 3.78 ERA.
In his last few outings he has proved to be easier to hit and less effective in the later innings.
Manager Dusty Baker said, “It doesn’t take him long to get loose. We can monitor his innings. It shouldn’t be a horrible transition.”
He will most likely be used as a long reliever along with Carlos Fisher and Logan Ondrusek.
Homer Bailey has just been reinstated to the rotation and appears to be in pretty good shape. The remainder of the rotation as it stands is Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, and rookie Travis Wood.
Aaron Harang is on the rehab circuit with the Louisville Bats and probably will be ready for a look in the not-too-distant future.
Micah Owings was Designated for Assignment to make way for catcher Yasmani Grandal, who just signed a four-year Major League contract.
GM Walt Jocketty said, “When we sent Micah down a couple of weeks, he requested that we try to trade him to another club that would have a better future for him. He’s a versatile guy—he can go both ways [as a starter or reliever].”
Jocketty continued, “Micah did a nice job for us, but some guys jumped past him in the rotation. He’s a great guy, a great teammate, and a good guy to have on a club. Maybe there will be a better opportunity for him somewhere else.”
The Reds will have 10 days to trade Owings or he will become a free agent.
I hate to see Micah go. He is a good pitcher and has a very good bat as well. He was 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA this year in 22 games.
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