“I love it,” Price, Cincinnati’s pitching coach before being named manager after the 2013 season, said before Friday’s game. “You’re looking at the future. We never anticipated seeing all those guys in that role in June.”
The 23-year-old Moscot, Cincinnati’s fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft out of Pepperdine University, was promoted from Triple-A Louisville to replace Iglesias, who developed a strained left oblique in his last start May 30 against Washington in Cincinnati. He underwent an MRand treatment, but he still felt it when he tried to play catch in Philadelphia.
“It’s one of those things that can get worse with pitching,” Price said. “If it gets worse, you’re looking at extensive time on the (disabled list). We felt it was inevitable that Jon would make his debut for us this year.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-foot Moscot, who spent time in April on Louisville’s disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger, was 7-1 with a 3.15 earned-run average in nine starts with the Bats. He became the first player from Cincinnati’s 2012 draft class to reach the majors.
“We like him, not just because he has good stuff, but because of his competitiveness,” Price said. “He’s a very mature guy. We feel like Jon has all the traits to be a good major-league pitcher.”
Moscot also became the eighth pitcher to start a game for the Reds in 2015, a season that started April 6. Ten pitchers started games in 2012.
The Reds needed to make room on the 40-man roster for Moscot, and they did so by designating veteran right-hander Jason Marquis for assignment. Marquis, 36, made the Opening Day roster after being invited to spring training as a non-roster player, but he was 3-4 with a 6.46 ERA in nine starts before being moved to the bullpen during the last home stand. He hadn’t pitched since starting May 25 against Colorado.
“He came into spring training ready to compete for a job, and he won a job, but unfortunately, he scuffled once the season started,” Price said. “It’s tough when you have an accomplished veteran player who’s had success and who worked hard to get back, but we’re kind of going with a youth movement.”
The Reds also recalled right-handed reliever Pedro Villarreal to replace Marquis in the bullpen. The recall already was Villarreal’s fourth of the season. He made a combined two appearances in the previous three.
Look who's in left: All Devin Mesoraco needed to hear was the experiment wouldn't make his hip impingement worse.
The Reds catcher, who hadn’t played defense since April 11 before going on the disabled list May 25, was told by specialist Bryan Kelly that playing left field shouldn’t be a problem, so Mesoraco started working out on Friday with coach Billy Hatcher.
The subject had been discussed briefly, but it got serious after Marlon Byrd was hit by a pitch on Wednesday that fractured his right wrist and sent him to the disabled list.
““When Marlon went down, it made sense to explore it,” Mesoraco said. “It certainly doesn’t hurt it out in left field. The only time I do hurt it is when I’m squatting.”
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