Reds DFA expendable reliever after activating Alex Young from injured list

The Cincinnati Reds made a couple of minor moves on Tuesday ahead of their game with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds activated Alex Young from the 60-day injured. The Reds left-hander had been out since Opening Day with a lower back injury.

In order to activate player from the 60-day IL, a corresponding 40-man roster move must be made. In this case, Brett Kennedy — who had his contract selected late last week — was designated for assignment. Despite being on the club since Emilio Pagán was placed on the IL last Thursday, Kennedy never threw a single pitch for the Reds.

Reds activate Alex Young from injured list, DFA expendable reliever

Kennedy was little more than insurance in the event that the team needed bulk innings from a pitcher when the club was trailing over the weekend. But even a bullpen game on Sunday didn't allow for Kennedy to see the mound.

Both Graham Ashcraft and Hunter Greene handled their business on Friday and Saturday respectfully, and Nick Martinez was successful in his relief outing during Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kennedy, if he goes unclaimed, can accept an outright assignment and return to Triple-A Louisville where he's spent the majority of this season. While being part of the Louisville Bats rotation, Kennedy was 1-5 with a 6.86 ERA.

One has to wonder why Kennedy was even chosen to take Pagán's spot on the roster. Why not add Tony Santillan? Quite frankly, it's likely that the Reds — having to wait for the 60-day minimum to expire — had planned all along to activate Young. It just so happened that Young a few days short of hitting the 60-day mark when Pagán hit the IL.

Young had been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. The lefty will join both Brent Suter and Sam Moll and the Reds bullpen, forming a trio of southpaws that manager David Bell can turn to. Fellow left-handed reliever Justin Wilson is currently on the IL.

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