Pedro Villareal to be called up.

I love the Reds.

Reds DFA struggling Gregg, recall Villarreal
Reliever posted 10.13 ERA through 10 2/3 innings this season

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | @m_sheldon | 3:13 PM ET

CINCINNATI -- Addressing their struggles in the bullpen, the Reds designated veteran reliever Kevin Gregg for assignment on Monday. Right-handed reliever Pedro Villarreal was recalled from Triple-A Louisville.

Gregg, 36, was initially signed by Cincinnati to a Minor League contract in February, and he earned a spot on the club as a non-roster player. The righty opened the season as the eighth-inning setup man, but he struggled.

In 11 appearances, Gregg had a 10.13 ERA with 12 runs, 13 hits, five walks, 14 strikeouts and three home runs over 10 2/3 innings.

Gregg made his final appearance for the Reds on Thursday in a 7-2 loss to the Pirates. He entered in the seventh inning with Cincinnati trailing by one run and left with the club trailing by four. In Gregg's two-thirds of an inning, he gave up three earned runs, three hits and two walks.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

http://m.reds.mlb.com/news/article/12372...villarreal

Obviously, it's ultimately Gregg's responsibility to perform and he clearly hasn't. But I'm more upset at the way Price used him. I can buy the idea that Price thought he was salvagable - his 14Ks in 10+ innings lead me to believe he can make some good pitches. But why Price thought it was a good idea to consistently put him into crucial situations rather than mop-up and long relief to "find himself" is one of the things that put his managerial ability into question.

Still amazed they fell in love with him in the set up role. A 37 year old guy with only one pitch who had a 10 era last year as well before being shut down after 9 innings to have bone chips removed from his throwing elbow? What could possibly go wrong?

(05-11-2015 08:18 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Still amazed they fell in love with him in the set up role. A 37 year old guy with only one pitch who had a 10 era last year as well before being shut down after 9 innings to have bone chips removed from his throwing elbow? What could possibly go wrong?

All of this. Baffling.

At least he's done costing the Reds games. Unfortunately they've got around 10 more players on the roster that are fully capable of filling his role in that regard.

(05-11-2015 06:44 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  Obviously, it's ultimately Gregg's responsibility to perform and he clearly hasn't. But I'm more upset at the way Price used him. I can buy the idea that Price thought he was salvagable - his 14Ks in 10+ innings lead me to believe he can make some good pitches. But why Price thought it was a good idea to consistently put him into crucial situations rather than mop-up and long relief to "find himself" is one of the things that put his managerial ability into question.

Price is awful managing pitching - surprising for a pitching coach. Although pitching coaches don't make too many game decisions. So maybe it isn't so surprising.

Gregg looked like he was throwing hard BP from his very first time on the mound. Opposing pitchers were hoping to get a chance at the plate to tee off on him.

Maybe he was decent at one time - all I saw were salivating hitters feasting on medium-fast stuff straight down broadway over and over.

What makes it even more infuriating is he took up a spot on the 40 man roster and because they had no room they lost pitchers like Daniel Corcino and Ryan Dennick to the Dodgers on waivers. Who knows if they were worth keeping or not. It's clear Gregg wasn't.

(05-13-2015 03:35 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  What makes it even more infuriating is he took up a spot on the 40 man roster and because they had no room they lost pitchers like Daniel Corcino and Ryan Dennick to the Dodgers on waivers. Who knows if they were worth keeping or not. It's clear Gregg wasn't.

Pretty sure I read that both Corcino and Dennick have since been designated for assignment or such (whatever the correct term) by LA. Bottom line is both were non-roster guys in AA for the Dodgers last I heard a few weeks ago iirc (not that it necessarily means they are worthless btw - especially Corcino).

But the one that really chafes me is letting go of Rey Navarro to keep guys like Gregg, Bourgeois and even Dennick (for too long to be honest) on the 40. And that's especially true right now with BP and Cozart battling injuries.

Just to follow up with stats for anyone curious: Navarro hit .296/.351/.409 in AAA for L-ville last year playing 2B and SS and was just 24 years old.

Tracy Jones said yesterday Todd Frazier should use Gregg as his pitcher for the home run derby this year. Classic

He does throw a very true ball.