Here's a shocker - Enrique Cruz gets the call

[Danny Serafini]

Denorfia gets moved to the 60 day DL, Cruz gets that spot according to the team press notes. Didn't see that one coming.

[registerthis]

Who?

[thatcoolguy_22]

isnt that the guy that was caught doing gay porn?

[EddieMilner]

isnt that the guy that was caught doing gay porn?

god i hope thats true. I can't wait to listen to Pat and Ron waste most of the game talking about that.

[Danny Serafini]

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/Enrique-Cruz.shtml

I'm going to assume Cruz was a Rule 5 pick of the Brewers in 2003, since the year before he was in A ball and went back to A ball in 2004. He hasn't been in the Major Leagues since.

[REDREAD]

Actually, this move makes sense. They needed to call up an infielder, because with Gonzo gone, they have no backup infielders. Cruz can probably play the field if needed. Also, the Reds probably don't care if they have to later expose him to waivers when Gonzo comes back (if that applies).

The guy they call up is going to sit on the bench anyway. Might as well get someone that can play SS (which Bellhorn can't do).

[membengal]

That makes Kyle Lohse the third best available pinch hitter this weekend for the first two games in Chicago...

[Joseph]

Interesting. I know so little about him. In fact I know his name....

[torn rotator]

isnt that the guy that was caught doing gay porn?

Isn't that the kind of thing you might want to have more information on before posting?

[Dunner44]

Milton swings a better stick than Loshe IMO.... holy crap are we actually discussing this? HELP!

[Dunner44]

isnt that the guy that was caught doing gay porn?

I had to know... turns out it was another Enrique Cruz.

[oneupper]

Someone remind me why we have Castro again?

Narron wants to be able to sit EE. This sucks.

[Dunner44]

Someone remind me why we have Castro again?

Narron wants to be able to sit EE. This sucks.

If Castro is STARTING then someone else needs to be there in case he gets hurt.... unless you want to see Freel at SS...

[Stingray]

I think he made a couple good plays in a spring training game I attended. I think it was against the Yankees but I don't remember whether it was critical hits late in the game or big fielding plays. I just remember he caught my eye and I was surprized because I'd never heard of him.

[UGADaddy]

Someone remind me why we have Castro again?

Narron wants to be able to sit EE. This sucks.

We have Castro because he is a reliable backup infielder with a great glove. (Manos de Oro!) Narron already said he's not going to sit EdE Friday, so I'm not sure what you're getting at there.

Does anyone know the lineups for today? Is Phillips moving to SS and Freel to 2B or is Manos de Oro starting? If the latter happens, it's a great way to get Josh and the other three (lesser) OFs in the lineup at the same time.

[TeamBoone]

Cruz actually had a very nice spring.

I tried to find the ST stats on the Reds website, but evidently they've removed them.

[dabvu2498]

Cruz actually had a very nice spring.

I tried to find the ST stats on the Reds website, but evidently they've removed them.

He only had 7 ABs.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=cin&section1=2&section2=1&section3=1&statSet1=1&statSet2=null&statSet3=null&statType=Overview&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=23&baseballScope=CN2&prevPage1=1&readBoxes=true&sitSplit=&venueID=&teamPosCode=all

[jmac]

With Conine playing vs the lefties.....Valentin is basically all we have from the right side and he is better hitting left-handed.
I would have rather seen a right-handed stick but dont know who that would be.

[OesterPoster]

From what I can remember, Cruz is a strikeout machine. Sure, he has played 2nd, 3rd, and shortstop in his career, so let's just hope he's being counted on for defensive backup purposes and not his hitting prowess.

Aww, who am I kidding. Chad Moeller actually had a pinch hit appearance the other night. :cry:

[2001MUgrad]

Interesting to say the least.

With Freel having the ability to play virtually anywhere in the IF, I would have thought you use his versitility to bring up the BEST player available.

But, this all goes back to carrying 3 catchers it really ties your hands with what you have off the bench.

[KronoRed]

That is some bench ;)

[Kc61]

Interesting to say the least.

With Freel having the ability to play virtually anywhere in the IF, I would have thought you use his versitility to bring up the BEST player available.

But, this all goes back to carrying 3 catchers it really ties your hands with what you have off the bench.

Don't know if Freel played the infield this spring at all. I think at this point Freel is an emergency infielder only.

I guess the reason for this is Cruz' versatility at different infield positions, including shortstop. You need a bench guy who can play short because you may need to pinch hit for Castro.

Agree that the three catcher thing -- with a five man bench -- really hampers the ability to maneuver with this team. On the other hand it lets you pinch hit Valentin freely, which helped in that last Arizona game.

Actually, if the team really wants flexibility, it should have 11 pitchers, keep the three catchers, and go with a six man bench. If the Reds sent out one of the lefty relievers (presumably Coutlangus would be the first sent down) the bullpen would still survive.

[redsmetz]

What surprised me is that I didn't know we hadn't already put Denorfia on the 60 day DL. I assumed we did that back when Guardado went on it too. More roster creativity I guess.

[PuffyPig]

Someone remind me why we have Castro again?



You'll find most teams have a back-up SS on the roster.

[klw]

Castro gets the start


Lineup:
Phillips 2B
Hamilton CF
Dunn LF
Griffey RF
Encarnacion 3B
Hatteberg 1B
Valentin C
Castro SS
Harang P

[thatcoolguy_22]

Isn't that the kind of thing you might want to have more information on before posting?


Isn't this the kind of thing you want to take as a joke?!?! ---side boob

[Falls City Beer]

isnt that the guy that was caught doing gay porn?

That's a great porn name.

[reds44]

Here's the pinch runner I've been calling for.

[Dracodave]

isnt that the guy that was caught doing gay porn?

Kaz Tadano Cleveland.


It was there pitcher Kazuhito Tadano admitted to and apologized for appearing in gay porn video as a college student in Japan. "I did participate in the video and I regret it very much," he said as part of a prepared statement which contained the only remarks he made in English without the help of a translator.

"I was young, playing baseball and going to college, and my teammates and I needed the money." [Listen ]



Article. (http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/tribetracker/index.ssf?/mtlogs/tribetracker/archives/2004_01.html)

[GOREDSGO32]

I approve of the Reds giving players who earn their way onto the team the spot in case of injury. Listening to Marty and Brantley earlier, it sounds liek a pretty good story that this guy gets a shot at the major leagues. I know a lot will bash the Reds and say it weakens us, but I always smile when I hear about guys getting to live their dream for a week even, who have come out of nowhere.

[Redsland]

isnt that the guy that was caught doing gay porn?
Huh.

I would've fingered the pitching coach. :dunno:

[TC81190]

Huh.

I would've fingered the pitching coach. :dunno:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh::cry: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: