| 28 July 2010
However, there are some issues there. Number one is that the team wants to limit Leake's innings - and rightfully so. The 22-year-old rookie will be given extra rest between starts on occasion and some of his starts will be flat-out skipped. However, since the Reds need him for the pennant race, I don't think they will completely shut him down. They will just find creative ways to space out his starts and limit his innings.
And the same will be true with Wood to a certain extent. The Reds certainly don't want to take any great risks with either Leake or Wood. However, Wood did throw 167.2 innings last year when he was named the Reds' minor league pitcher of the year. Therefore, the Reds might give Wood more leeway than Leake.
And by the way, it was good to see the 23-year-old Wood pick up his first career win on Wednesday afternoon as the Reds topped the Brewers 10-2 to move 11 games over .500 (57-46) and remain in first place in the National League Central division. He sure deserved to win earlier, but he'll take it, even if it meant waiting until his sixth career start. Wood is here to stay and you have to love what he brings to the mound for the Redlegs. The abundance of young pitching in the organization is staggering.
OK, so let's say I get my way and the rotation for the stretch run consists of Arroyo (lock), Cueto (ditto), Leake, Volquez and Wood. Where does that leave Aaron Harang and Homer Bailey who are relatively close to returning from injuries (Bailey is beginning his rehab assignment later this week)?
The cynic in me says, "Who cares?" but there will be a place for both of them on the team the rest of the season. And notice I said team and not necessarily the rotation. I do expect both Harang and Bailey to get spot starts since the team wants to limit the innings for Leake and Wood as mentioned above, but one or both of them will have to do most of their damage in the bullpen. Harang is a shell of his former self and he might be nothing more than a long-reliever/spot starter down the stretch. Harang's predicament depends on just how much the Reds decide to protect Leake/Wood, whether the rest of the pitchers in the rotation stay healthy, and how Volquez looks his next few starts.
Volquez's first start back from injury seemed too good to be true. He was lights-out good and looked even better than he did in 2008 when he won 17 games. However, he was shaky-at-best in his next two starts and the jury is still very much out on whether he will be reliable down the stretch. I happen to think his arm looks great and he will get the kinks ironed out, but it's definitely no sure thing. So, if Volquez struggles, that opens a spot for Harang or Bailey right there.
As for Aroldis Chapman, his transition to being a reliever (just for the rest of this season) continues to go well at Triple-A Louisville and he could be called up at any time. The Reds are going to add a 22-year-old rookie lefty to their pen who throws 103 MPH? And that in addition to a 40-year-old lefty (Arthur Rhodes) who has been one of the best relief pitchers in Major League Baseball this year? Yeah, suddenly the Reds could even have a good bullpen without even making the trade that we're all waiting for.
And props go out to 25-year-old rookie reliever Logan Ondrusek (are you sensing a theme here with all the rookie pitchers?) who has been phenomenal since being re-called to the team on June 2. Ondrusek made the team out of spring training, but didn't fare well in his nine appearances in April and was sent down to Louisville. Since then, he's turned into a gem and has solidified the Reds' bullpen. In 23 innings since his recall, he has given up just two runs. Two runs in 23 innings of relief. Now that's getting it done.
Overall for the season, the 6-foot-8, former 13th-round draft pick is 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.1 WHIP. Very impressive. I still think the Reds need to trade for one bullpen arm (and perhaps an outfielder) and I bet GM Walt Jocketty will pull some type of rabbit out of his hat before the July 31 trading deadline. And don't forget teams can still make trades after July 31 if a player clears waivers.
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