Lorenzen to be recalled for start on Monday

MILWAUKEE -- As speculated, the Reds will not be starting left-handed pitcher David Holmberg in Monday's series opener vs. the Cubs. Michael Lorenzen will be recalled from Triple-A Louisville to replace Holmberg, who was optioned to Triple-A.

Cincinnati also placed reserve outfielder Brennan Boesch on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 23. Boesch hasn't played all week because of a bone bruise on his right ankle. A corresponding move will be announced on Monday in Chicago.

The recent performances of Holmberg and Lorenzen were certainly headed in opposite directions. Holmberg allowed six earned runs and seven hits with three home runs over 3 2/3 innings vs. the Dodgers in his last start on Wednesday. That made him 0-3 with a 15.19 ERA in his last three starts and 1-4 with a 7.62 ERA in six starts overall since he came up from Louisville.

Lorenzen was sent back to Louisville on Aug. 13 after struggling, but went 2-1 with a 1.13 ERA and one complete game in three Triple-A starts. In a 3-0 victory on Wednesday, he pitched eight scoreless innings with one hit allowed. He was 0-6 with an 8.49 ERA over his last eight big league starts.

"He's throwing the ball extremely well since he got to Louisville to kind of get things going. And he has," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He's taken advantage of the opportunity to get a breather, and kind of get locked back in and comfortable on the mound. He's thrown the ball probably as well as anybody at the Triple-A level anywhere."

With Lorenzen on an innings limit of 150-155 innings, the Reds want his remaining couple of starts to be in the Majors. After that, he is expected to finish the season in a bullpen role. The right-hander has 133 2/3 innings combined for the Majors and Triple-A this season.