Pena strains hamstring while pinch-hitting
Reds catcher exits after doubling in eighth-inning rally; tests scheduled Thursday
CINCINNATI -- Reds catcher Brayan Pena is hoping for the best from tests scheduled for Thursday after he strained his right hamstring during Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.
Pena was pinch-hitting against Tony Watson in the eighth inning of a 5-2 game, with a runner on first base. He slashed a double to left field but limped between first base and second base before grabbing the back of his right leg.
"I felt like something popped," Pena said. "Something was completely different. Sometimes, I've felt I've had hamstring [issues] and played through it. I didn't want to hurt my team. I felt like something popped and we were building something good in that inning. It was a little painful."
Pena was lifted for pinch-runner Ryan LaMarre, who later scored to make it a one-run game. Since Tucker Barnhart was lifted for a pinch-hitter just ahead of Pena in the eighth, third catcher Ramon Cabrera took over behind the plate.
Initial tests by medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek left Pena hopeful that it might not be a serious injury.
"He felt like it was going to be a couple of more days, but we'll know tomorrow much better," said Pena, who is batting .282 in 95 games this season.