Hot Billy Hamilton Sits, Anthony DeSclafani Returns Friday Against Oakland

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Billy Hamilton is getting his head examined.

Hamilton was thrown out in an attempt to steal third, sliding head first.  The Reds saw the bump on his head when he reached the dugout. He also made a diving catch in the game and got up slowly.

Hamilton is going through concussion protocols and sitting out the series finale against St. Louis.

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Hamilton has raised his batting average to .269 with a respectable .309 on-base-percentage. Since April 24, Hamilton is hitting .301 with a .323 OBP

The Reds have not disabled Hamilton.  He could go to the concussion DL which is seven days rather than 16.

Hamilton could be placed on the Concussion List on Friday to make room for Anthony DeSclafani, who will make his first start of the season against the Oakland Athletics.

The Reds have extra outfield help with Kyle Waldrop and Steve Selsky.  Waldrop got his first Major League hit Sunday.  Selsky doubled for his first Major League hit on Wednesday.

DeSclafani missed half of spring training and the first third of the regular season with a strained left oblique. He was one of five Reds' starters to land on the DL between the start of spring training and the regular season.

'Desco, pitched six inning his last outing with Louisville, so we can reasonably sure that he can go deep in the ballgame," Price said.

"It was hard to watch the guys struggle," DeSclafani said. "I'm glad to be with the team.  I had three rehab starts. I wasn't even think about my oblique when I was in the bullpen."

The Reds removed RHP Stephen Johnson and C Kyle Skipworth from the 40-man roster.  Johnson cleared waivers and was re-assigned.  Skipworth was on the 60-day DL after surgery on his ankles.  He was reinstated and also cleared waivers and was re-assigned to Double A Pensacola.