It is likely that Harang is done for the season and the team is considering its options to plug Harang’s spot Wednesday in Milwaukee.
Mark it down as a start for left-hander Matt Maloney. He was scheduled to pitch Sunday for Class AAA Louisville, but he was scratched. Maloney is 9-9 with a 2.96 ERA for the Bats and was 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA in three starts for the Reds earlier this season.
Harang reported to PNC Park Saturday afternoon with side pain and it was diagnosed as appendicitis. It was determined that it was caught in the early stages and it was safe for Harang to be transported by car back to Cincinnati.
“We were prepared to have him stop in Columbus, if needed,” Baker said. Equipment manager Rick Stowe drove Harang, “So he could be at home with relatives when he had the surgery,” Baker added.
Harang is the season 6-14 with a 4.21 ERA in 26 starts, 14 of which were quality starts.
“He isn’t supposed to do anything for three weeks,” said Baker, realizing only five weeks remain. “We’re trying to figure out what to do. We’re kicking some things around. This season has been hell, hasn’t it?
“Whoever said injuries are no excuse is lying,” Baker said. “This is beyond ridiculous right here. Wow. I had it bad with injures in 1996 with the Giants and once with the Cubs, but this has surpassed that, easy.”
Baker on Stubbs
Baker said he would spot-start rookie Drew Stubbs, “To try to protect him and give him his best chance to succeed.”
So, Stubbs was not in Sunday’s lineup after going 0-for-8 in the first two games in Pittsburgh, following his game-winning walkoff home run Thursday against the San Francisco Giants.
Of course, that didn’t last long. Chris Dickerson rolled his left ankle, stretching to get back to first base when he was picked off in the third inning. After the game, Baker said X-rays showed it was a bad sprain, not a break, but he was headed back to the DL.
Stubbs replaced him and doubled in the fifth and scored a run.
“So far Stubbs has been pretty good,” said Baker, with a less than four-star endorsement. We’ll play him when we can and see how he is. We don’t know if he’s ready until he plays over a period of time.”
The Reds had another player go down when catcher Ryan Hanigan took a foul tip off his mask and suffered a slight concussion late in the game. He is day to day.
Rolen or Francisco?
Scott Rolen returned to the lineup Sunday at third base, bringing up the question: What about Juan Francisco?
General Manager Walt Jocketty said he is interested in keeping the 35-year-old Rolen around for a few years, but Francisco, 21, is a third baseman who is ripping apart Class AAA pitching.
Francisco was recently promoted from Class AA Carolina to Louisville and in eight games he has batted 33 times. He has three homers, two doubles, a triple, 10 RBIs and a .394 batting average. He also has struck out 10 times.
Quote of the day
“I’m 58 and take a good look because in 30 years this is what Justin Timberlake will look like.” — An overweight and bald KC of KC & the Sunshine Band during a concert in PNC Park after Saturday’s game.
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