Alfredo Simon Demoted To Reds' Bullpen

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Affredo Simon at 6'6" and a generously listed 267lbs.is an imposing figure on the mound but his team-high 9.11 ERA through 11 starts is bigger than he is.

Bryan Price gave Simon every opportunity to figure things out.  It was Price that turned the Reds successful long reliever into a 15 game winner and an All-Star in 2014.  Simon won 13 games for Detroit last season after the Reds dealt him for Eugenio Suarez.  Simon was unsigned until March 17 when the Reds signed him to a one-year deal.

There was the hope that Simon would provide a veteran presence for its younger starting pitchers.

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Conditions changed.  The starting rotation was wracked with injuries and the bullpen has been largely ineffective partly from over use and partly for lack of the ability to throw strikes consistently.

The Reds dipped way down its list of prospects and brought in Daniel Wright to make a start for an ailing John Lamb.  He pitched reasonably well in his lone start in Los Angeles.

Wright will start Monday against Atlanta.

"We need to stabilize our bullpen.  Freddie (Simon) did a nice job for us for three years out of the pen," Price said. "Wright was brought up to start to give Lamb an extra start.  Our starting pitchers have done much better and I wanted to go with Simon a little longer."

Michael Lorenzen and Raisel Iglesias are expected to be ready within a week or two.  Both will be used out of the bullpen.  The team can keep a tight reign on Iglesias shoulder which has been subject to fatigue as a starter.  Lorenzen had elbow problems this spring.  He was a college closer but the Reds wanted to find out if he could start.  For now, Lorenzen will work out of the bullpen.  Next spring the pair will be given another opportunity to start.