Reds Add Jeff Francis To Pitch Second Game

The Reds added Jeff Francis to its 40-man roster and transferred Mat Latos from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list which is retroactive to spring training.

Latos will have a simulated game on the road, probably in Washington, then if all goes well three rehab starts before the Reds activate him in early June.

http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/

The teams are allowed to add a 26th player for the second game of this rain induced double-header but that player has to be on the 40-man roster.  The Reds therefore had to add Francis to the 25-man roster before the first game.

Nick Christiani was optioned to Louisville to add Francis.  The Reds will play with 24 players in game one but will add the 26th player for the second game.  They still have to designate the 25 active players for the second game.  It makes sense that Johnny Cueto, the game one starter, will be left off for the second game.

The Reds are holding back on the identity of the 26th player at this time.

"It was a stroke of good luck to have him available for this situation," Price said.

The alternative would be to have Alfredo Simon pitch the second game.  The Reds would have needed a starter on Saturday, which would have probably been Tony Cingrani off the DL.

"I prefer to do it the way we're doing it," Price said. "There is no reason to believe that Tony won't be activated when we need him.  His condition must be pristine before we activate him.  He is doing great."

The Reds just prefer to give Cingrani extra time.