The Reds made multiple roster moves on Monday morning.
The Cincinnati Reds are facing a busy Monday with a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, creating a need for additional depth on the pitching staff.
Before the opening game, Cincinnati made several roster moves to bolster its arms. Right-hander Zach McCambley was added as the 27th player for the doubleheader, while the Reds selected the contract of 34-year-old left-hander Kent Emanuel from Triple-A Louisville. To clear space, Cincinnati designated right-hander Ron Marinaccio for assignment.
Who is Kent Emmanuel?
Emanuel, a 34-year-old lefty, was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He spent several seasons working his way through the minor leagues before finally getting his first MLB opportunity at age 28, and he made an immediate impact.
In his major league debut, Emanuel delivered a remarkable performance, tossing 8⅔ innings and surrendering only two runs on five hits. He struck out five, issued no walks and picked up the victory.
Following the 2021 season, Emanuel returned to the minor leagues and remained there until 2024, when he appeared in 12 games for the Miami Marlins.
Before joining the Reds, Emanuel spent time in independent baseball, making nine appearances while posting a 2.30 ERA across 47 innings. He then made one start for Triple-A Louisville, allowing just one run over six innings.
Zach McCambley Returns
The Reds acquired right-handed reliever Zach McCambley from the Miami Marlins in the trade that sent Rece Hinds to Miami. Since joining Cincinnati, McCambley has appeared in seven games, allowing four runs on nine hits while recording six walks and seven strikeouts.
McCambley’s splits have been particularly interesting. During his time in the minors, he struggled against left-handed hitters while finding considerable success against righties. That trend has flipped completely at the major league level. Left-handed batters are just 0-for-18 against him this season, while right-handed hitters are 9-for-21 with a 1.026 OPS.
The sample size is obviously limited, but the dramatic difference is something worth monitoring as McCambley settles into his role with the Reds. His arsenal primarily consists of a cutter, four-seam fastball and sweeper, with an occasional sinker mixed in.
Cincinnati enters the doubleheader at 59-64 after dropping two of three games to the Marlins in their previous series at Great American Ball Park.
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