Organizational Injury Report 7/28/2014 - Reds Not Really Getting Healthier For Stretch Run

The primary concern coming out of the All-Star break was probably the status of Homer Bailey and Mat Latos.  As expected, neither had to miss his turn in the rotation, though the order was shuffled to get them a few extra days of rest.  Latos made his scheduled start on July 21 without incident after being removed with back spasms in his prior start.  Bailey followed suit the next day without incident after experiencing knee pain in his previous start.  Mat Latos has grimaced and had awkward crow-hop finishes after pitches a few times, but that could equally as well be from frustration as from discomfort.  At this moment, it's not something to worry about too much.

Utility infielder Jack Hannahan has returned to action for the Reds, and looks slated to be the full-time 1B in Joey Votto's absence.  He broke into the lineup on July 27 for the first time this year, after playing though much or all of the 2013 season with a torn labrum.  If he is now fully healthy, hopefully he can return to something more like his 2011 or 2012 form at the plate.  His ability to adequately field 1B will be a plus, but the lineup desperately needs players who can contribute in any possible way.  Fellow utility player Skip Schumaker also returned to the lineup on July 20 after missing 10 days with a concussion.

RP Logan Ondrusek was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to July 13 with a strained shoulder.  He had only appeared in three games in the 19 days prior to going on the DL, but was one of the Reds' more cromulent relievers over the course of June.  His spot is being filled ably so far by career minor leaguer Jumbo Diaz.  Closer Aroldis Chapman was dealing with hamstring tightness which was aggravated at the All-Star break, but said that he was fine to pitch as long as he didn't have to do any running.  As it happens, the Reds have had only one save opportunity since the break, though Chapman has appeared twice without incident.

SS Zack Cozart was hit on the hand by a pitch during a bunt attempt on July 22, but thankfully the injury turned out to not be serious.  He returned to the lineup on July 25, and has started two of the three games since then.  The system has no depth for dealing with another middle infield injury, as Kris Negron is already called up and Skip Schumaker is also being pressed into service at 2B.

In the minor leagues, At AA Pensacola, 2B Ray Chang returned from a strained oblique on July 24 after missing 16 days.  OF and top prospect Jesse Winker has a torn tendon in his wrist, suffered around July 16.  He's been given a timetable of 2-4 weeks, and Pensacola's season ends at the 5-week mark, so it's possible his season is done.  C Lou Marson was placed on the 7-day DL on July 21 with a strained right shoulder.  RPs Brooks Pinckard and Hector Nelo were released from the organization on July 14 and July 17 respectively.

At A+ Bakersfield, RP Sean Lucas returned to action on July 7 after missing 26 days with an undisclosed injury.  2B Robert Ramirez was activated and assigned to Bakersfield on July 16 after missing about a month with an undisclosed injury.  2B Sammy Diaz was activated on July 18 after missing 11 days and OF Beau Amaral was activated on July 22 after missing 12 days.

At A- Dayton, OF Jon Matthews was placed on the 7-day DL on July 16 with a sprained wrist, 1B Daniel Pigott was placed on the DL on July 19 with a strained shoulder, and RP Scott Brattvet was placed on the DL on July 23.  On July 27, C Jose Ortiz and OF Jonathan Reynoso were suspended from the team.

AAA C Corky Miller was placed on the DL on May 22, but has retired from his playing career and is now serving as a minor league catching instructor in the Reds system.  As always, injury statuses are kept up to date and can be checked via the link.