CINCINNATI (AP) -The Reds, looking to improve one of the NL’s worst bullpens, called up reliever Marcus McBeth and catcher Chad Moeller from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
McBeth joins a bullpen that has been a big factor in Cincinnati’s 15-24 start. The Reds are in last place in the NL Central, have lost four straight games on their West Coast trip and nine of their last 11 overall.
The Reds got McBeth from Oakland as part of a deal on April 25 for outfielder Chris Denorfia. The right-hander had nine saves in 10 chances for Triple-A Sacramento and Louisville, compiling a 1.50 earned run average in 16 appearances.
The Reds have been looking for someone to fill a set-up role in the bullpen. Left-hander Mike Stanton and right-hander Todd Coffey have struggled.
Moeller’s promotion gives the Reds three catchers again. He opened the season on the roster and appeared in six games before being designated for assignment. He hit .270 in 11 games at Louisville.
No. 2 catcher Javier Valentin is one of the club’s top pinch-hitters. Having Moeller available gives manager Jerry Narron more flexibility in using Valentin.
The Reds cleared roster spots by optioning infielder Jeff Keppinger and left-hander Bobby Livingston to Louisville on Monday following a 7-1 loss in San Diego. Livingston had been called up to fill in on Sunday for injured starter Eric Milton, and gave up four earned runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 10-5 loss in Los Angeles.
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