Dateline: Cincinnati
The Reds designated Brandon Leibrandt and Lyon Richardson for assignment and recalled right handers Luis Mey and Zach McCambley from Triple A Louisville.
The Reds were thankful for Brandon Leibrandt, who picked up the bullpen on Monday (060126) night by finishing six innings in a losing cause.
It was a sacrifice that was necessary because of rash of injuries to the bullpen.
"I hope we have a lead tomorrow and if we do and we win. He (Leibrandt) deserves a pat on the back," Francona said.
It was an opportunity that may be more fulfilling down the road for Leibrandt.
"I've always said, if you're going to get me, you're going to get me," Leibrandt said. "I'm going to go out there and give you innings. I'm never going to go out and pitch a couple innings and leave the bullpen hang. It felt good to pick those guys up."
He got thanks from management as they designated him for assignment along with emergency opener, Lyon Richardson.
The Reds recalled Luis Mey and newcomer to the organization Zach McCambley, who the Reds acquired in the trade with the Miami Marlins for Rece Hinds on May 21.
McCambley from Netcong, NJ is 27 years old. He was the Marlins third pick in the 2020 draft out of Coastal Carolina University. He grew up in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania.
He pitched in eight games in the Philadelphia Phillies camp after being selected in the Rule V draft but was returned to the Marlins at the end of spring training.
McCambley pitched in Triple A for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He appeared in 13 games with two starts. He is 1-1 with one save and a 2.36 ERA. McCambley has 32 strikeouts and 17 walks in 26 2/3 innings. In Louisville he pitched 3 2/3 innings in two relief appearances, with a 1-0 record and 2.45 ERA after allowing one run on one hit, a home run to Ben Ross of the Minnesota Twins affiliate, St. Paul Saints.
When one opportunity closes another is created and McCambley has spent eight seasons in the minor leagues to get this one. He has been with three organizations since the end of March. This is his first chance to get in a big league game.
'It's been a crazy year being a Rule V and being in Clearwater for spring." McCambley said. "I looked at it as great opportunity."
Rule V players are required to be carried by the team that drafts them in this case the Philadelphia Phillies or get sent back to the team they came from.
"I was disappointed to be sent back," McCambley said. "I kept my nose to the grindstone and kept grinding and it got me here man. I thought I did well with the Phillies. I obviously didn't have the spring that I wanted to have. (8 games, 7 1/3 innings, 1.25, five hits, one run but six walks and four strikeouts). I had more walks than I would like to have had. I thought I competed. I thought I was a pro all the way through. I made it to the last day. I have nothing but good things to say about them."
Pat Kelly the Bats manager told him to keep doing what he was doing and his time will come.
"It helps to get a new set of eyes on you," said McCambley about being in three organizations in a short amount of time. Being in the minor leagues with the Marlins has been a grind. I have nothing but love for them over there."
"Everyone has been so welcoming to me here in the Reds organization. It is still so fresh. I've only been here for a week and a half," McCambley said.
McCambley grew up a Phillies fan. "I watched the Phillies and the Yankees growing up," he said.
His family support is on the way starting at 4 am.
"They all packed up their whole lives and drove here. I have a great support system. They're all here," McCambley said.
It is an exciting experience for him and will be the second player to make a big league entrance for the first time as Edwin Arroyo did on Monday night.
"He's had an interesting year," Terry Francona said. "Sometimes when you go to a new organization, you get a little bump. We've seen it. Right now, we're kind of the land of opportunity. I don't think it is realistic that everybody that gets called up is going to take it and run with it but if a couple guys do that it will really help."
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