The Cincinnati Reds have called up right-handed pitcher Sal Romano from Triple-A Louisville. He takes the place on the big league roster of right-handed pitcher Tyler Mahle, who has been played on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
The #Reds have recalled from the Triple-A @LouisvilleBats RHP Sal Romano and placed on the 10-day IL RHP Tyler Mahle (left hamstring strain).
Romano has posted a 1.59 ERA with 24 K over 17.0 innings for the Bats in July. pic.twitter.com/EG2VKqRHq3
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 22, 2019
As noted in the tweet above, Sal Romano has pitched very well in July for Louisville. But it’s also worth noting that in July he’s worked as a starter, too. From April 5th, the start of the season, through June, Romano worked exclusively out of the Louisville bullpen. He pitched in 31 games, posted a 5.95 ERA, walked 19 batters, allowed three homers, and he struck out 40 hitters.
With the Louisville rotation struggling, and with Sal Romano having formerly started, he got his chance to slide back into the rotation on July 1st. He’s started three games since then, with one relief appearance that came behind rehabbing Alex Wood and lasted 4.0 innings. And he’s absolutely dominated in that span.
Over the first two starts he threw 4.0 innings in each game, allowed just one combined hit, walked no one, and he struck out 10 total batters. In his 4-inning relief appearance against Toledo he gave up two runs, walked no one, and struck out four. He started last Thursday against Pawtucket and racked up 10 strikeouts in a 5.0 inning effort that resulted in one run on one hit and three walks.
Since moving back into the starters role, he’s allowed six hits, walked three batters, and struck out 24 in his 17.0 innings pitched. His ERA sits at 1.59 in that role. Opposing hitters have a .105/.150/.228 line against him in 60 plate appearances.