Cincinnati Reds: Wandy Peralta will not be missed after being optioned

The Cincinnati Reds optioned relief pitcher Wandy Peralta to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday. Given his recent stretch of games, the left-hander will not be missed.

The Cincinnati  Reds optioned pitcher Wandy Peralta to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday and it couldn’t have come sooner for the struggling left-hander. Kyle Crockett, who’s played in 23 games for the Louisville Bats this season was brought up to the Reds as Peralta’s replacement.

To say that Wandy Peralta was struggling for the Reds would be an understatement. The 26-year old, over the past 5 games, has allowed 4 hits and 5 runs in only 2 innings pitched. That’s an ERA of 22.50. Wow!

Peralta was lights out to start the season for Cincinnati. During the first 10 games he appeared in, Peralta pitched 9.2 innings, had 9 strikeouts, allowed only 2 hits and didn’t surrender a single run. During that span, batters were hitting a paltry .067 against him.

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Peralta’s struggles were no more evident than they were against the Tigers to close out Tuesday night’s victory over Detroit. Peralta entered the game in the 9th inning with the Reds comfortably ahead 9-0. The ensuing inning for Peralta was nothing short of a disaster.

Back-to-back-back singles by the Tigers loaded the bases for Detroit and prompted a mound visit from pitching coach Danny Darwin. Peralta promptly walked the next batter, which made the score 9-1. The following batter, Leonys Martin, scalded a line drive to left field, scoring Victor Reyes and Jose Iglesias.

That was it for Wandy Peralta, as Jim Riggleman brought in Dylan Floro to close out the game. After a pair of sacrifice flies, Floro slammed the door on the Tigers’ comeback bid and the Reds won the game 9-5.

So, Peralta faced 5 batters, all of whom would score and was chased from the game without recording an out. In the previous game against Pittsburgh, Peralta faced one batter, threw 2 pitches, one of which hit the opposing batter. That’s not very good.

Manager Jim Riggleman, via Reds.com, claims that Peralta’s issues are mechanical:

“Some real drastic differences between when he was successful in the first half of last year compared to where he is now in his delivery. We just don’t have the luxury of working it out here.”

Hopefully, Peralta will have the opportunity to work out whatever mechanical issues he’s suffering through. Last season, Peralta maintained a 3.76 ERA in 69 appearances. Peralta allowed 24 walks last season and has already allowed 25 walks in 37 appearances this season.

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Former Cleveland Indian Kyle Crockett will take over in the Reds’ pen for Peralta. He carried a 4.00 ERA through 27 innings pitched in Triple-A Louisville. The Reds are hoping Crockett can add some left-handed depth behind Amir Garrett in the bullpen.