Returning Reds dominate in rehab assignment with Louisville Bats

A trio of Cincinnati Reds returned to the diamond on Friday night for the Louisville Bats. Nick Senzel, Mike Moustakas, and Lucas Sims were all in action. The game was cut short due to weather, and the plan is to pick up where things left off in the top of the fifth inning. However, we saw good results from all three players.

Senzel and Moustakas have been out for some time now, with both winding up on the 60-day IL. Senzel underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee following a bout with inflammation and Moustakas has been dealing with foot and heel issues for over two months. Sims was placed on the 10-day IL at the end of June due to an elbow sprain.

Lucas Sims, Nick Senzel, and Mike Moustakas look ready to return to the Reds.

What a boost it will be for the Cincinnati Reds lineup when Lucas Sims, Nick Senzel, and Mike Moustakas return. Tejay Antone is also on the injured list currently, but is expected to return by the end of the August.

In last night’s game, Sims drew the start for the Louisville Bats against the Iowa Cubs. Sims threw one inning, striking out two batters, and allowed one hit. Sims threw 13 total pitches, eight of which went for strikes.

Senzel played center field and batted leadoff for the Bats. Senzel’s first trip to the plate resulted in a fly out to center field, but a line drive up the middle in the second inning allowed Senzel to reach base safely before being pulled in the fourth inning in favor of a pinch hitter.

Moustakas lined a hit to center field in his first AB of the night and later scored on an RBI single by Alejo Lopez. Moose’s fly out to left field in the top of the second ended the inning for the Bats. Moose drew a walk in a nine-pitch at-bat in the fourth inning.

The Cincinnati Reds desperately need all three of these players back. The front office made some trades prior to Friday’s deadline that will certainly boost the bullpen, but Sims’ presence is needed badly.

The team’s hitting has been buoyed by Joey Votto’s offensive onslaught despite Nick Castellanos being out of the lineup. But adding Nick Senzel and Mike Moustakas back to the roster will certainly help bolster the Reds’ offensive production. Don’t look now, but Cincinnati is getting healthy at the right time.