Reds add Finnegan, Smith to rotation

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Reds have reworked their rotation for this weekend's series vs. the Brewers, with more changes possible for the rest of the season. Michael Lorenzen, Raisel Iglesias and Keyvius Sampson will be moved out from starting.

Manager Bryan Price said Iglesias has right shoulder fatigue. After a very strong seven-start stretch, he didn't fare as well in his last couple of outings.

"We're trying to make an evaluation of what's the best way to handle his workload the rest of the year," Price said.

Sampson needs to leave the team for a couple of days to deal with a family issue.

The alterations will give lefty Brandon Finnegan his first Major League start Friday at Milwaukee. Finnegan, 22, has made 23 big league relief appearances -- including two for Cincinnati since his callup last week.

Video: STL@CIN: Finnegan K's Carpenter to lead off the 7th

"We've prepped him to start and now that opportunity is there," Price said. "I don't want to say he has a surplus of innings left over, but he has some room to start for the remainder of the year. He'll eat up some innings for us. He can get acclimated to starting at this level."

Finnegan, who was acquired from the Royals in the July 26 trade for Johnny Cueto, was 0-6 with a 5.65 ERA in 19 games this season, including 15 starts, at Double-A and Triple-A for both organizations. That included 0-3 with a 6.28 ERA in eight starts for Louisville. The Reds project him to be a starter and he will be in the mix for next season's rotation.

Following Finnegan will be Josh Smith on Saturday and Sunday will be Anthony DeSclafani, who was pushed back two days for extra rest. Smith made three starts earlier this season. John Lamb will return to pitch Monday at St. Louis. The starting assignments for the other two games vs. the Cardinals are TBA. Price noted it was possible for Sampson to get one of those starts.

With a limit between 150-155 innings this season, Lorenzen pitched three innings Wednesday in a 5-3 loss to the Giants that brought his total to 151 2/3 innings combined for the Majors and Louisville. He allowed three earned runs and six hits with one walk and one strikeout while throwing 54 pitches.

"It's a good chance it will be his last start," Price said before Wednesday's game. "I'd like him to be available to pitch out of the bullpen so he can continue to pitch in the month of September. It wouldn't be a big workload but his availability is important, I think. It's important for him to finish the season active."

• Reds catcher Brayan Pena, who has been out for a week because of a strained right hamstring, did some crouching and throwing drills Wednesday. Pena also caught DeSclafani's side bullpen session. He could return to the lineup during the series vs. the Brewers, Price said.