The Cincinnati Reds announced just after 5pm on Tuesday evening that they had optioned starting pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez to Triple-A Louisville and recalled reliever Ashton Goudeau from the Bats roster.
It’s a surprising turn of events, at least in the short term, as Vladimir Gutierrez has been in the starting rotation for the last two months. He really struggled on Monday against the New York Mets, giving up six earned runs in 4.0 innings. That start, his 10th of the season, pushed his ERA to 4.97 on the year. He’s thrown 54.1 innings, allowed 54 hits, 11 home runs, walked 25 batters, and he’s struck out just 37. For Gutierrez, he’s walked a fine line where he’s had a high walk rate, hasn’t struck out many batters, and given up plenty of home runs but had avoided truly giving up a bunch of runs. Even now, his 4.97 ERA works out to a 95 ERA+ on the year. That’s slightly below the league average.
But the Reds likely needed to make a move of some kind after going through their bullpen. And with Jeff Hoffman coming back on Wednesday to make what now seems like at least two spot starts if not more, the Reds can go with a 5-man rotation and get someone up to help fill innings in the bullpen for the day if needed.
That man, of course, is Ashton Goudeau. He’s pitched in five games for Cincinnati this season and allowed four runs in 9.0 innings while walking nine (three intentionally) and striking out five batters. In Triple-A this season he’s made four starts and three relief appearances that have totaled 25.0 innings. In that stretch he’s posted a 4.68 ERA, allowed 24 hits, walked nine batters, and he’s struck out 17.
Since Jeff Hoffman is slated to start for the Reds on Wednesday but has not yet been activated, the team will need to create a 26-man roster spot for him tomorrow. That could mean this is a 1-day trip for Goudeau. Though it could also mean that someone else gets optioned to Triple-A if they may not be available for a few days because of usage and Goudeau isn’t used on Tuesday night.
I’m thinking Hendrix should go down, if nothing else just to get a chance to rest and regain some confidence. They sent Cionel Perez out for awhile, and, small sample aside, pitched 4.2 innings and walked only 2 striking out 9. Given up 3 runs (1 earned) but 2 of those came after he had to record a 4th out in an inning in that Royals debacle.
I’d rather the replacement be someone better than Goudeau, but if the Reds won’t add outside pieces, he’ll have to do.
The Reds are toast anyways. I wonder after Hoffman flops they just put Santillian in there and just let him develop.
Gutierrez probably should have remained in the rotation with Hoffman going to the pen.
VG has been getting worse by the outing. If he were trending like this pitching out of the BP, commenters would be all over the Reds management for continuing to run him out there.
People seem to pick their favorites, then ignore data and trends and support those favorites with their comments no matter what the data say.
I’m usually not a big advocate for just jumping guys into the majors however I think with the way the seasons gone Lodolo should just be called up and let him get those early kinks out. The bullpen isn’t good enough for a run let’s let the young get ready to help us next year.
He is getting ready…in AA. Get him time in AAA before getting carried away with a big league promotion. I believe there are still two September call ip slots in the current roster system; that’s when you can give Lodolo and Greene a taste of MLB if they earn in in AAA.
I don’t really like Hoffman starting today. He averages 4.1 IP for each game started so what does it make to think he’s gonna be deep today? I think is not good idea specially in these huge games and with this AA-AAA level BP …Hopefully he makes me wrong and throws a gem…
I look for a short outing today from Hoffman. Twice through the order (at most) followed by multiple innings from Santillan. We can’t keep throwing 5 or 6 relievers a night.