CINCINNATI -- The Reds placed outfielder Scott Schebler on the bereavement list on Thursday and recalled outfielder Phillip Ervin from Triple-A Louisville.
Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman has been using a four-man outfield rotation of late and said Ervin will be available when needed, but Jesse Winker, Billy Hamilton and Adam Duvall will likely see the bulk of the playing time in Schebler's absence. Schebler is eligible to be reinstated in three days and can remain on the bereavement list for a maximum of seven days.
Ervin last appeared for the Reds on April 24 and has eight hits and five walks in 44 plate appearances this season in the big leagues.
Peralta optioned, Crockett called up
Cincinnati also optioned right-handed pitcher Wandy Peralta to Louisville and called up left-hander Kyle Crockett, who will make his Reds debut upon his entry into game action.
After not allowing a run in his first 10 appearances this season, Peralta has struggled recently, including giving up five earned runs on four hits without recording an out in his last appearance against Detroit on Tuesday. Peralta has 25 walks and 21 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings this season. Riggleman said Peralta has worked with pitching coach Danny Darwin and assistant pitching coach Ted Power, who spotted some mechanical issues in his delivery that have led to the struggles.
"Some real drastic differences between when he was successful in the first half of last year compared to where he is now in his delivery," Riggleman said. "We just don't have the luxury of working it out here."
Riggleman said they'd tried to let him work through some things in some lower stress situations -- like Tuesday night, when he entered with a 9-0 lead -- but ultimately came to the decision this was the best move.
"He is going to going to go down to Triple-A and put those things to work," Riggleman said. "Hopefully he can come back here and help us. He is a guy that opposing hitters around the league are like, 'Wow, he is tough.' We have to get him back to that."
Crockett is a lefty who Riggleman hopes will be able to pitch well against the tough left-handed hitters in the Cubs lineup. Crockett spent four seasons with the Cleveland Indians and boasted a 1.80 ERA in 43 appearances as a rookie in 2014. Crockett struggled to begin the 2017 campaign with Cleveland and spent much of the season in Triple-A after being sent down on June 17, 2017.
The Indians designated Crockett for assignment in the offseason, and the Reds signed him to a Minor League deal in December. Crockett has allowed 12 earned runs in 27 innings over 23 appearances with Louisville this season.
"I think it is just getting more comfortable and making sure I am not thinking too much," Crockett said. "Just making sure I am going out there and using my stuff like I know how, pound the zone. That has been pretty much what I have done to be successful my whole life."
The Reds also released catcher Tony Cruz on Thursday.