Bill Bray Comes Back J.J. Hoover Sent Out Drew Stubbs Rehabs

The Reds reinstated lefthanded pitcher Bill Bray from the 15-day disabled list.

To make room for Bray, righthanded reliever J.J. Hoover was optioned to Triple A Louisville.

"It was a very tough decision to make," Baker said.  "J.J. did a good job for us.  He progressed faster than we thought.  We thought we'd see him later in the season but he was pressed into action.  He will be back.  He has good stuff."

The rookie's demeanor pleased the manager as well as his arm.

"J.J was really quiet," Baker said.  "He was seen but not heard. He was the epitome of that. Like an old school player."

Baker now has more flexibility in the bullpen with a third lefthander working out of the bullpen.

"There were times we wished we had more than one lefty (excluding Aroldis Chapman, who is the closer.)," Baker said.  "We are getting back to our original plan."

Bray missed time this spring with a strained right groin.  He fought his way back in time to start the season but went back to the disabled list on April 19.  He just completed a rehab assignment in Dayton and Louisville.

"It feels great to be back," Bray said.  "It took a long time to get back.  I changed my mechanics to over compensate and started to have back pain.  Now, I have no pain at all.  I'm 100 percent."

Drew Stubbs will rehab in Dayton this weekend.  The Reds hope to have him back on Monday when they play Milwaukee.  He is recovering from a strained left oblique.

"A lot depends on how he feels," Baker said.  "It's the first time he's been hurt.  He never says anything when he's dinged up.  He had to be really hurt to say something."