The Reds announced a series of roster moves today, selecting the contract of outfielder Conner Capel while also activating outfielder TJ Friedl and right-hander Frankie Montas from their respective stints on the injured list. The club had optioned left-hander Sam Moll yesterday and opened up two more roster spots today by optioning outfielders Nick Martini and Bubba Thompson. To open a 40-man spot for Capel, right-hander Ian Gibaut was transferred to the 60-day IL.
Capel, who turns 27 this month, signed a minor league deal with the Reds in the offseason. He has been in Triple-A so far this year and performing quite well. Through 122 plate appearances, he has walked almost as often as he’s struck out, with a 16.4% walk rate compared to a 17.2% strikeout rate. He’s hit seven home runs and has a batting line of .268/.397/.567, which translates to a 146 wRC+.
The outfielder has 145 major league plate appearances on his résumé with a slash line of .280/.366/.408. He struggled in Triple-A last year, which caused the Athletics to bump him off their roster, but he hit .263/.364/.422 in the minors in 2022 for a 112 wRC+.
On top of that mostly solid offensive work in the past few years, Capel can steal a few bases and move around the outfield. He’s been playing both left and center field this year, with some past experience in right field as well. He has swiped six bags so far here in 2024, with double-digit tallies in most of his previous minor league seasons.
The Reds came into the season with seemingly too many position players, but that apparent surplus evaporated fairly quickly. Noelvi Marté was hit with an 80-game PED suspension, Matt McLain required shoulder surgery and Friedl suffered a wrist fracture. Lately, some players have been missing time without going on the IL, including Jake Fraley, Tyler Stephenson, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario.
That led to some extra playing time for players like Martini and Thompson. Martini hit two homers on Opening Day but has added just one more since then and is currently batting .177/.200/.329 for the season overall. Thompson is one of the fastest players in the league but hasn’t hit much. With the Reds this year, he has struck out in 11 of his 18 plate appearances.
Friedl has hit .267/.341/.456 in his career and should give a boost to the lineup. Capel could as well, but it’s also possible he’s behind Friedl, Will Benson, Spencer Steer and Fraley on the outfield/designated hitter depth chart. But perhaps he’ll fill Thompson’s role as a speedy bench outfielder, though with better abilities in the batter’s box. Capel still has an option remaining and can be easily sent back down to the minors at a later date if the Reds so choose.
Montas hit the IL a couple of weeks ago after being hit by a comebacker on his right forearm. The x-rays were negative but the club wanted to give him a breather as the soreness and swelling went down. He has now returned after a minimum stay on the IL, as hoped. Nick Martinez made a couple of starts in his absence but made a relief appearance on the weekend. Montas will slot into the rotation alongside Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft.
Gibaut, 30, has been on the injured list all year due to a right forearm strain. He has tried rehabbing a couple of times but keeps getting shut down with renewed soreness. Just over a week ago, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer relayed on X that the righty was shut down again and going for another exam. Today’s transfer means he’s ineligible to return until 60 days from his initial IL placement, which would be late May. That doesn’t seem to be possible at the moment since he’s not throwing and would need some time to ramp even if he is soon cleared to throw.
redhaze1
Capel has 7 HR in the minors. Give him a shot. It can’t hurt.
spudchukar
Watched him alot when he played for the Red Birds. Talented in a number off ways, just couldn’t catcher’s up to Big League pitching, especially the fast ball. Maybe he has made adjustments, if not look for him to struggles, but playing in GAB, could help.
BeingARedsFanHurts
This is likely why Ford was let go. Martini and bubba were slated to go down anyways. There just wasn’t a spot for Ford,not worthy of DFAing someone else.
This one belongs to the Reds
Word has it Bob drives a Chevy anyway.
b00giem@n
There was a spot: Espinal and struggling Strand are still up. Honestly couldn’t have hurt to send Strand down and see if there was anything in Ford, if nothing else trade bait.
BeingARedsFanHurts
Sounds like there IS a spot after all….
Hotdog 2
Cincinnati blew it. Had a chance for next step
dhud
They’ve played 20% of the season.
They’ve dealt with critical losses to the lineup and yes, underperformance. But there’s still 130 games left this season and this group of players will be in tact for at least 3 more years
I think we can pump the panic brakes just a touch
Hotdog 2
Bull.
Bobcastelliniscat
It’s not a very good team.
DonOsbourne
Capel is a nice depth outfielder. Solid defense, smart baserunner, professional at bats.
avenger65
Could someone tell me if there’s a chat today? If so, how do you ask a question without a link?
This one belongs to the Reds
They did not announce one in the opener, so I am guessing no.
Old York
Good luck with your cup of Joe in the Majors.
octavian8
Just saw lineup for tonight. On paper it looks better with Friedl in there. Not sold on Stephenson at cleanup. Fraley should be there with Tyler around 7th in the order. I like Benson at 9th. But lineups make no difference if they don’t hit. Maybe TJ can light the fire.
This one belongs to the Reds
I cam see Martini (who will need one now) and Bubba sent on their way. But a AAAA guy the A’s released isn’t the answer, but in the dumpster dive environment by this front office, it’s worth a shot.
The outfield situation should have been addressed in the offseason. But they counted on a guy who is injured half the time in Fraley and a guy in Benson who had three good months and has now gone back to striking out half the time, somehow thinking they were good with no one else. Thank goodness Steer can play a decent outfield, which wasn’t a guarantee.
Glad to see Friedl back. Maybe the sparkplug they need. Goodness knows they need something.
Hotdog 2
Cincinnati has a guy with a career obp over 450 in the minors. Guy should be leading off daily. Criminal
cbusred110
who are you talking about? hurtubise? he’s rehabbing his own injury in the complex league
Slider_withcheese
Such a weird scheduling start to the season for NLC teams. As of May 7th, the Cubs, Reds, Pirates, and Cardinals have all played only 3 division games each. Weirder they’ve all been against Milwaukee.
King123
I hate this new scheduling. I’m sure it’s harder on the players too.
cah011381
Former Cardinals outfielder, probably hits 30 homers