Aristides Aquino (Photo: Doug Gray)
Photo: Doug Gray

Another record for Aristides Aquino, other Reds notes

Another home run and another Major League record for Aristides Aquino. In what may be the ugliest uniforms in the history of baseball, The Punisher set a Major League record for the fewest career games to reach 12 career home runs. He’s the quickest to reach career home runs 8, 9, 10, and 11 too. It was a big night individually for the Cincinnati Reds right fielder, who also doubled and racked up three hits for the Reds in Pittsburgh.

As MLB.com writer Jake Crouse notes, it’s not just the records he’s setting, but there’s a chance for ones he’s chasing, too. The Reds record for most home runs in a month is 14. That record is shared by Frank Robinson and Greg Vaughn. Aquino is sitting at 12 and he has nine games remaining in the month to try and track down that record.

The Reds release Brad Boxberger

Cincinnati made a few roster moves on Friday at the big league and minor league level. Perhaps the biggest one was that the team released former All-Star reliever Brad Boxberger. He was released by the Royals on July 1st and signed with the Nationals on July 12th. They released him on August 4th and he then signed with the Reds two days later. The Reds assigned him to Louisville where he made five appearances. Things didn’t go well in that span as he allowed 10 hits and 7 earned runs with 5 walks in 5.1 innings.

Rylan Thomas returns for a rehab assignment

Rylan Thomas was activated in Dayton and then sent to join the AZL Reds. Of course, that’s just a move that was made on paper. Thomas has not been in Dayton all year. He has, however, been in Goodyear all season as he’s been working through some injuries. Back in early July he appeared in a few games for the AZL Reds, but his back issue started bothering him again and he was shut back down. Last night he got two at-bats in the game before being replaced. That likely doesn’t mean anything – most rehab stints begin with an at-bat or two before working their way to a full game played. After posting an .892 OPS in 2018 for Greeneville, Thomas has only had seven at-bats this season and they’ve all come on rehab assignments.

Nick Ciuffo activated in Louisville

Speaking of rehab assignment, Nick Ciuffo completed his with the AZL Reds and was activated and sent to Louisville. The catcher had started the season in Triple-A Durham with the Rays organization. He was quickly in the Majors, then went back-and-forth in April and May. On the final day of May, while in Triple-A he injured his thumb and wound up needing surgery. The Rays needed a 40-man roster spot at the end of June and placed him on waivers. Ciuffo cleared waivers and became a free agent. The Reds signed him a week later knowing that he wouldn’t be able to play for at least another month as he recovered from surgery. He spent five days with the AZL Reds, going 3-13 in that stretch.

The DSL Reds wrap up their season today

The Dominican Summer League Reds regular season ends today. They won their division rather easily. With one game remaining against the Orioles that should be completed this afternoon, the Reds are 47-23. The playoff match ups have not been announced yet, but they playoffs will begin on Monday.