Reds expand roster with three September callups

DENVER -- The Reds recalled reinforcements from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, expanding their roster as the calendar turned to September.

Outfielder Derrick Robinson, right-handed relief pitcher Curtis Partch and second baseman Henry Rodriguez are each making their second stint on the big league roster this season. Robinson played for a little over four months after Ryan Ludwick's Opening Day injury, Partch played for nearly two months from June 9 to Aug. 2, and Rodriguez made two pinch-hit appearances when he was with the club from June 7-10.

"I know what to expect and how everything works," Partch said. "Considering how close it is for the division, I'm sure they're going to use all their main guys in the regular situations that they do, and if there's a way we can help out and save those guys' arms and pick up some innings so they stay fresh, I'm pretty sure that's what they want to do."

Partch posted a 3.71 ERA in 10 relief appearances, offering a steady arm from the 'pen that Baker should be able to use in the stretch run.

"Besides the last outing where I just didn't have any command, I felt like I was getting better," Partch said. "At least helping the team whichever way I could. That's all I pretty much wanted to do."

Robinson was an integral part of the outfield mix with Ludwick out for four months, hitting .254 with seven RBIs in 84 games, including 28 starts in left and seven starts in center. He got his first big league hit, a single, off Steven Strasburg on April 7.

"It was good to get my feet wet and actually be able to help the team while doing that," Robinson said of the learning curve during his first Major League stint. "I always told myself when I was coming up that I believe in myself that I was a big league player. So when I got here I was just mostly trying to prove to myself that 'Yeah, you do belong here,' and show others that I belong here and do what I can to help the team."

Partch and Robinson both debuted in the Majors this season, while Rodriguez played in 12 games for the Reds last September, hitting .214 in 12 games and making one start.