Blandino, Weiss earn callups as they eye debuts

April 9th, 2018

PHILADELPHIA -- A pair of Reds could make their Major League debuts this week against the Phillies.
The Reds called up infielder and reliever Zack Weiss from Triple-A Louisville on Monday. Neither Blandino nor Weiss has ever appeared in a big league game. As a corresponding move, the Reds placed third baseman and outfielder on the disabled list.
Blandino, 25, was not in the Reds' starting lineup for Monday night's series opener against the Phillies. But manager Bryan Price said that Blandino, who has experience at third base, second base and shortstop, would be part of an infield rotation, along with Cliff Pennington and Phil Gosselin moving forward.
"I'm enjoying the ride, for sure. This being my first callup, it's something I dreamed of as a little kid and have been working for for many, many years," Blandino said Monday. "I'm just excited to be here. But on the baseball side, I feel like I'm ready. I feel like I can help fill multiple roles."

A first-round (29th overall) pick by the Reds in the 2014 MLB Draft, Blandino, the Reds' No. 18 prospect, split the 2017 season between Double-A and Triple-A. He hit .270 with an .834 OPS in 63 games for Triple-A Louisville last season. Blandino had an 0-for-8 start at the plate with Louisville this season.
The Reds passed on calling up Nick Senzel, a 22-year-old third baseman and the team's top prospect. Senzel, the No. 7 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is not on the Reds' 40-man roster.
Weiss gives the Reds another arm in the bullpen. The 25-year-old righty had a 2.63 ERA and 12.3 K/9 rate last season as he split time between Class A Advanced Daytona and Double-A Pensacola. Weiss gave up a run and walked two batters in one inning during his appearance this season.