The Reds announced they’ve designated right-hander Robert Dugger, who had been on the 15-day injured list, for assignment. His spot on the 40-man roster goes to catcher Aramis Garcia, who was activated from the 60-day injured list. To clear a spot on the active roster, Cincinnati placed outfielder TJ Friedl on the 10-day IL due to a right hamstring strain.
Dugger has bounced on and off the roster a few times this season. He began the year in the Rays organization on a minor league deal. Promoted for a May spot start, he was designated for assignment thereafter and claimed off waivers by the Reds. The Reds shuttled him between Cincinnati and Triple-A Louisville for the next few months depending on their need for a depth arm capable of throwing multiple innings. Dugger is out of minor league option years, meaning Cincinnati had to DFA him each time they wanted to take him off the big league roster.
In each instance, the 27-year-old went unclaimed on waivers. He’s made three big league appearances with Cincinnati, allowing eight runs in 10 2/3 cumulative frames. Dugger has started seven of 14 outings with the Bats, pitching to a 4.65 ERA with an 18.1% strikeout percentage and a lofty 12.1% walk rate. That includes four rehab outings, as he’s worked his way back from a seemingly minor bout of shoulder soreness.
The Reds will place Dugger on waivers again in the coming days. Assuming he goes unclaimed, he’d have the right to refuse an outright assignment and test free agency. While he’s accepted each previous assignment to Louisville, he’s headed for minor league free agency at the end of the year if not on a 40-man roster. He’ll presumably find some non-roster invitations to Spring Training on the open market.
Garcia signed a minor league deal with Cincinnati last offseason. He earned the backup job behind Tyler Stephenson out of camp and was selected onto the big league roster. He’s only gotten into 46 games, though, with a sprained left middle finger costing him virtually all of the season’s second half. He’ll be active for the final two games but could find himself on the roster bubble this winter. Garcia has hit just .217/.252/.264 across 113 plate appearances during his first year in Cincinnati. He’ll be eligible for arbitration for the first time during the offseason but is a clear non-tender candidate.
No mention of the dark cloud surrounding his family and how that media scrutiny has affected his on field performance.
19 teams and counting….
What happened with his family?
Dude has had more sequels than the Fast and Furious franchise.
How this guy avoided doing time is beyond me.
Why 2 games left do they need another guy who can’t hit is that better then a guy who can’t pitch ?
Don’t be surprised if he is claimed.
When it comes to both Robert and Steve
Many organizations actually
DIG DUG-GERS
Final game this afternoon in what was a disappointing season for the Reds. However, did get a chance to see a few of the younger players perform, so there might be some hope there.
I like today’s SP (Graham Ashcraft), and though Jose Barrero looked over matched at times, I believe there’s an MLB shortstop still brewing.
Gonna have to sort out our outfield situation over the winter. Lots of in-house possibilities, none of whom are gonna remind us of Frank Robinson or Vada Pinson.
One thing is for certain, Nick Senzel might be the most injury prone player in franchise history. Would be interesting to see what this former overall #2 pick in the draft could do if his PT wasn’t constantly interrupted by one nagging injury after another. JMHO, but Nick is a 20/20 guy if he can ever stay on the field.
Lastly, was 2022 Joey V’s swan song? Would the Reds trade him to some team looking for a DH? Or, might Joey decide to retire?
I think trading Votto is a steep hill to climb. I’m not opposed to eating much if not all of his salary but he has expressed a desire to retire in Cincy and has earned that right. Outfield is a mess right now. We have a lot of platoon type players but nothing to build around. Maybe pick up another Tommie Pham type to flip at the deadline, then look for a stud outfielder in FA the year after Votto and Moose’s contracts are off the books