Reds Adjust Pitching Roster Luke Weaver Returns To Rotation Casey Legumina Joins Reds Bullpen

 

 

The Reds placed RHP Connor Overton on the Injured List with a right elbow strain.

"He informed us after he came out of the game last night," David Bell said.  "That's the first we knew of it. He had an MRI this morning and will meet with the doctors later.  He knew something was off last night but didn't know what it was."

Overton, who had recovered from a stress reaction in his lower back, allowed five runs in three innings last night.  He had "Tommy John" surgery in 2017. 

The Reds promoted RHP Casey Legumina to fill Overton's roster spot and shore up the bullpen.

Legumina, who will make his big league debut when he pitches was acquired this winter in the trade that sent Kyle Farmer to Minnesota.

"There is a lot to like about Casey," David Bell said. "What stands out about Casey the most is he doesn't show any fear. He trusts himself and his stuff is really good."

Legumina spent the spring in Goodyear.  He was drafted out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 25th round.  He was drafted in the 35th round out of Gonzaga University in 2018 by Cleveland and again in the eighth round out of Gonzaga in 2019 by the Twins.

He missed his first two professional seasons. In 2019 he was hurt and had "Tommy John" surgery in August.  He missed the Covid season in 2020.

Legumina had four appearances at Louisville before the recall, pitching 5 2/3 innings with a 1.59 ERA.

Half of his appearances were starts in the minor leagues.  He was also a starting pitcher at Gonzaga.

"You manage the game a little differently as a starter," said Legumina, who had family with him in Toledo where the Bats were playing.  "When you're in the bullpen, you're ready every day.  As a starter you think oh this is the day I start.  It changes how you manage the hitters.  As a starter, you set the m up.  When you are a reliever, you're on the attack because you might only pitch an inning.  I like that."

The Reds brought Luke Weaver back from a rehab assignment in Louisville.  He will fill Overton's spot in the starting rotation. 

Weaver signed as a free agent to compete for a spot in the starting rotation.

"I didn't realize it was Jackie Robinson Day," Weaver said.  "I don't look at myself as someone who has been around.  I've been around a few players some future Hall of Famers, like Adam Wainwright, Zach Greinke and Madison Baumgardner.  I watched what they did and talked to them on the phone."

Weaver started 25 games with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018.  He made 12 starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 and 2020.  He was 3-6 in 13 starts in 2021 but pitched out of the bullpen in Arizona and Kansas City last season.