Reds News: Cardinals dump trade pickup, Carson Spiers' comeback, former top pick released

The Cincinnati Reds were openly mocked for their confounding and mundane actions at this year's MLB trade deadline. The Reds — hopelessly out of the playoff race and sitting on a plethora of expiring contracts — chose to move just two players before the August 3 deadline.

Cincinnati shipped former Silver Slugger Award-winner Nathaniel Lowe to the Cleveland Guardians, and just before the deadline passed, traded left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson to the St. Louis Cardinals. In return, the Reds received a 19-year-old pitching prospect and $250,000 in international bonus pool money.

Lowe has appeared in 21 games for the Guardians, and has seven extra-base hits and a .670 OPS since joining his new club. Ferguson, however, struggled mightily after leaving Cincinnati, and has since been released by the Cardinals.

Reds News: Caleb Ferguson released after struggling with Cardinals

Ferguson made just nine appearances for the Cardinals and faced a grand total of 41 batters. The lefty posted an underwhelming 8.64 ERA, allowing eight runs on 11 hits over 8⅓ innings of work. He struck out nine batters, but also walked eight.

Ferguson inked a one-year deal with his hometown Reds this past offseason. An oblique injury sidelined the southpaw to begin the year, but in 26 appearances out of Cincinnati's bullpen, he posted a respectable 4.01 ERA with 22 punch outs.

Ferguson will now be looking to latch on with another organization to finish out what's been a frustrating year for the 29-year-old. If he's to find a new club before September 1, he'll be ineligible to be part of a team's postseason roster.

Reds News: Carson Spiers is on the comeback trail

Reds' right-handed pitcher Carson Spiers began a rehab assignment last week, and tossed 3⅔ innings of work for the Dayton Dragons. He allowed two runs on three hits and racked up four strikeouts before being lifted after 66 pitches.

Spiers was activated off the Louisville Bats injured list recently and made his first Triple-A start since July of last season. He made it through 4⅓ innings, but allowed six runs on six hits, including two home runs.

Spiers missed almost all of last season after suffering a shoulder injury and later undergoing Tommy John surgery. He was removed from the Reds' 40-man roster this past offseason, but the team quickly re-signed him to a minor-league deal and will likely look to keep the 28-year-old as part of the organization this coming winter.

Reds News: Former third-round pick Hunter Hollan released

According to the Daytona Tortugas transaction log, former third-round draft pick Hunter Hollan was released by the Reds organization late last week. He was activated off the 60-day IL last month, and made 13 appearances in the Reds' minor leagues this season.

In total, Hollan only made 25 appearances since being drafted over three years ago. Injuries have defined his young career, and despite his high draft position, it would seem that Cincinnati's leadership didn't see a viable path forward for the 24-year-old right-hander.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow