Cincinnati Reds create history with Luke Farrell and then lose him

The Cincinnati Reds created history by having a pitcher face his father as the opposition manager.

When Luke Farrell pitched for the Cincinnati Reds on September 23 after being called up to start the month, he made MLB history.  It was the first time that a pitcher pitched against a team that his father was managing.  It was the first time that a father-son combination opposed each other since Felipe Alou managed across the diamond from his son, Moises in 2004.

John Farrell manages the American League East champion Boston Red Sox.  His son, Luke, threw a scoreless, hitless inning against the team that he managed.  Despite being in the majors for a few months, it was Luke’s highest pressure situation to date.

When Luke came into the game, the Reds were already trailing 5-0.  When Moises and Felipe faced each other, it was more frequent and in higher leverage situations.  Both the team that Moises played for, the San Francisco Giants, and the team that his father managed, the Chicago Cubs, were in the playoff hunt.

This is a great memory for the father and son.  John watched intently from the visitors’ dugout.  By placing Luke into the game, Reds’ manager Bryan Price created a special opportunity for his player as well as his counter part.

Want your voice heard? Join the Blog Red Machine team!

Write for us!

After the season ended, the Chicago Cubs claimed Luke Farrell off of the Cincinnati Reds roster.

More from Reds News

• Reds: TJ Friedl’s fast start will earn him opportunities in 2022
• Reds: 3 September surprises who’ve improved their 2022 roster hopes
• Reds: 3 players Cincinnati must find trade partners for this offseason
• Reds vs. Nationals: Pitching preview, prediction, and more
• Reds: David Bell’s new contract was the right move at the wrong time

As the MLB season ended, the Reds began the necessary movements of clearing roster spot for off-season moves.  Last year as the playoffs began, the Reds snuck several players onto the Louisville Bats’ roster.  This year they were not so lucky.

The Chicago Cubs claimed Farrell off of waivers when the Reds attempted to outright him to Triple-A.  Farrell is not eligible to play for the Cubs this postseason.  In all likelihood the Cubs plan on using Farrell as a multi-inning reliever, if he can make the team in 2018.

The Reds successfully outrighted a trio of pitchers to Louisville.  They sent down Asher Wjociechowski, Nick Travieso, and Alejandro Chacin.  That opens up four roster spots, not counting those on the sixty day DL.

The Reds have to use two roster spots on injured starting pitchers.  Anthony DeSclafani and Brandon Finnegan will both require a roster spot during the off-season.  The other three pitchers on the 60-day DL, Scott Feldman, Bronson Arroyo, and Drew Storen, are all free agents.

Next: Hunter Greene begins his professional career

That is the curse of a rebuild.  The Reds have talent that other teams want.  At least the Reds created a great memory for the Farrell family and fans alike.