TODAY: Wong was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville after clearing waivers.
JUNE 27: The Reds announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Alec Mills, with fellow righty Jake Wong designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Mills, 31, spent 2018 to 2022 with the Cubs. He once seemed like he had a shot at establishing himself as a solid back-end starter. In 2020, he made 11 starts with a 4.48 ERA and even tossed a no-hitter that year. Unfortunately, he dealt with back issues in the next two years, leading to a 5.66 combined ERA in 2021 and 2022 before undergoing back surgery as last year’s campaign was winding down.
He was outrighted by the Cubs in November and became a free agent. He signed with the Reds in the middle of May and has since tossed 11 innings over four appearances with a 4.09 ERA on the year thus far. He’s struck out just 11.1% of opponents but walked only 6.7%.
The Reds have been stretched in the pitching department in recent days, leading to a daily scramble for fresh arms. They had Thursday off last week but then allowed at least seven runs in each of their four games from Friday to Monday. Their starting pitcher wasn’t able to go longer than four innings in any of them, leading to heavy usage of the bullpen. They have another off-day this Thursday but still have two more games to get through, prompting them to bring up Mills as a potential multi-inning option.
As for Wong, he was the club’s fresh arm just yesterday. He was able to make his major league debut in last night’s contest, tossing three innings while allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks. Prior to getting called up, he tossed 34 1/3 innings in the minors with a 7.60 ERA. The Reds will now have a week to trade him or pass him through waivers.
At least it is someone this time with somewhat of a track record.
That’s just wong…. Poor guy only had one day in the majors.
His parents and family said he’d never make the majors. They were all Wong
Not very creative
That’s where you’re wong
Forgive me for noticing, but the the last four articles on this site involve Flexen/Young/Koch/Wong. This will not play well in the Free State of Florida.
Lol
CES?
He has no way of playing every day.
I want them to trade ces bad this year for a pitcher but good lord look at that lineup w him taking vottos spot !! Stacked from top to bottom and top 3 in NL
India 2B
Elly 3B
McClain SS
Steer 1B
CES DH
Stephenson C
Fried OF
Fraley OF
India may be the one to trade for a pitcher. They have Marte close and India will only be a couple of years away from free agency(I think) after this season.
Three years away.
Then maybe keep India and move Marte in a package for a top pitching prospect ready for the majors.. One of those 2 would headline the trade for a pitcher. Then try to obtain another starter as a FA.
Yes, India is the spiritual leader of that team. It would be lkke when they traded Tony Perez in the Big Red Machine days.
You left out Benson. Plus somethings got to give to make room for Marte by Sept. probably.
I’m glad they are finally letting Benson swing it against lefties. He is hanging in well, I have to hand it to him.
Then they still pinch hit for Fraley. They stopped doing that for Friedl and he has become a stud.
Some things Bell does with this righty/lefty matchup thing he does leaves me shaking my head. You don’t have a weaker hitter pinch hit for a stronger one ever, no matter which way he bats.
We’re on our way now! (Pitching can’t get much worse)
So far, these Wong puns have all been very run of the Mills.
The Tigers will trade you lots of pitching with no bitxhing
The Reds should invest in some free agent pitching this offseason. With Votto leaving, the highest salary is Hunter Greene at $3.33 mil.
Don’t waste the prospect capital for a shot this year. Keep them and add for next year.
I agree. Sign one FA SP pitcher and maybe trade India for another SP..
Williamson looked good today through 5, Ash was fantastic yesterday, and Abbott has been sensational. Connor Philips was just promoted to AAA, and Chase Petty won’t be far behind. Wouldn’t it be fan freakin tastic, if this staff as it is presently built, could hold their own through July and into August when we should get a healthy Greene and Lodolo back..
It takes time to build a rotation. Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, Ashcraft, and Williamson would be just fine when healthy. But with all the injuries these days it takes 7-9 sp to compete. Signing Sonny Gray this winter, along with Ben Lively, Connor Phillips, Levi Stout, and a healthy Justin Dunn would supply that depth.
Justin Dunn hasn’t been healthy since that deal. I wonder if the Mariners knew that.
I am not counting on him. Other than Greene and Lofolo in AUGUST, the only ones coming off the IL are bullpen guys, whenever they are healthy, and they need them, but coming off injury, you have to watch their use. The bullpen is already blowing up due to overwork and it just turned to July. As we saw yesterday, some deficits you can’t count on coming back from.
Cguy has it right above that you have to have starters waiting in the wings. That should have been addressed last offseason because Greene and Lodolo seem to have a history of missing time. Stoudt and Williamson and oodles of others not ready for the Show would still be honing their craft in AAA but you would get a better pitcher when they were called up. A veteran would help Greene, Lodolo, and Williamson learn to be more pitch efficent.
Seems like a lot of wishing and no action to improve the team from the front office. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we would have a hell of a Christmas.
I always heard the last part as a bullfrog wouldn’t bust his ass every time he hopped.
I accessed the ninth dimension. Justin Dunn will throw a no hitter later this year.
I saw the Fifth Dimension in concert several years ago.
Nice. I watched this video on YouTube about the forth dimension. Reminded me of The Fourth Kind with milla jovovich. Jeez O’Pete she is fiooonnnee.