Cincinnati Reds place RHP Tim Adleman on DL, promote OF Steve Selsky

Yet another Cincinnati Reds starter is heading to the disabled list.

The Cincinnati Reds lost yet another starting pitcher on Thursday night when Tim Adleman left the game against the Indians with a strained left oblique.

On Friday, the team announced he has been placed on the 15-day disabled list and outfielder Steve Selsky has been promoted to take the open roster spot.

In four starts with the Reds, Adleman has been a pleasant surprise, going 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA and 16 strikeouts against nine walks. He becomes the team’s sixth starting pitcher currently on the DL, joining Raisel Iglesias, Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani, Jon Moscot and Michael Lorenzen.

The Reds haven’t given any indication as to who might replace Adleman in the starting rotation. Moscot had a rehab start on Sunday and another is scheduled for Friday, which makes him the most likely option if he’s ready to be activated.

If the club looks toward the minors, there aren’t many options if the plan is to keep Robert Stephenson and Cody Reed down for just a little longer due to Super Two concerns. Of Louisville’s other starters, Daniel Wright has had the best season (when combined with his Double-A numbers), but has only made two starts at the Triple-A level.

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With Adleman out, Selsky will get his first shot in the big leagues. With all the roster turnover the Reds dealt with last year, Selsky likely would’ve been called up had he not torn his left meniscus, ending his season. But he finally gets his chance this year, even if it does end up being a short stay after the team decides on a rotation replacement.

The 26-year-old was drafted by the Reds in the 33rd round of the 2011 draft out of the University of Arizona. He’s hardly a slugger, but has proven to be a solid hitter with good on-base skills, boasting a career .295/.380/.452 line in his six minor-league seasons. Through his first three years of professional ball, Selsky had 38 home runs, but has hit just five since the 2013 season.

This year in Louisville, he’s hitting .275/.380/.383 with a team-leading 10 doubles, one homer and 11 runs batted in. His 19 walks trail only Jesse Winker for the team high.

Since he was not on the 40-man roster, the Reds will be forced to make another roster move. There doesn’t seem to be another candidate to be moved to the 60-day DL, so the team will likely have to designate a player for assignment.

Update: The Reds have announced the right-handed reliever Drew Hayes has been designated for assignment to make room for Selsky. Hayes allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 15 hits and six walks in 9 2/3 major-league innings.