Cincinnati Reds notebook: Michael Lorenzen begins rehab assignment; Suárez sits again

One of the Cincinnati Reds’ most reliable relievers is set to return to the bullpen within the next two weeks.

Michael Lorenzen, who has been sidelined all year with a right shoulder strain, began a rehab assignment Thursday at the rookie-ball Arizona Complex League. He’s expected to make at least one rehab appearance at Triple-A Louisville next week before joining the Reds.

Lorenzen was expected to begin the season in the rotation before his injury. He will be used as a reliever when he returns.

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“He will get an inning or two – one inning each time out, one or two times, then kind of evaluate after that,” Reds manager David Bell said. “There is an outside chance we would get him back before the All-Star break next weekend, but most likely it will be right after the break.”

Lorenzen was shut down from throwing for about a month before he restarted his entire throwing program in May. Lorenzen hoped to rejoin the Reds by the end of June, but the Reds were targeting the All-Star break.

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“At this point now, it’s more just getting a feel for all his pitches,” Bell said. “I think, at this point, it is just as important because if that’s not ready, then maybe you compensate. Making sure both of those areas are ready to go is really important and I think he’s more focused now on his pitching. Just making sure he likes the way he’s using his pitches, making sure they’re all working the way he wants them to.”

The Reds could have a much different bullpen over the next couple of weeks. Tony Santillan was optioned to Triple-A Louisville before Wednesday’s game and Ashton Goudeau was called up after the Reds used seven relievers Tuesday.

Santillan will transition to the bullpen in Louisville and he’s eligible to return to the Major League roster after 10 days unless he’s filling the roster spot of an injured player.

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“We're kind of putting together a plan right now with (pitching coach) Seth (Etherton) down in Triple-A to give a little bit of structure to how it'll be best to transition him to the bullpen,” Bell said. “He will be pitching out of the bullpen there. There's a little bit of a process there, but we think it can happen pretty quick. It made the most sense to allow him — because he's been a starter, just to give him a little bit of time in Triple-A. It's a little bit different.”

Tejay Antone hopes to return shortly after the All-Star break and Lucas Sims could return by the end of the month.

SUÁREZ SITS: Eugenio Suárez was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game Thursday after striking out four times in four at-bats in Tuesday’s game.

Bell benched Joey Votto for three games last August when Votto was struggling at the plate. Votto responded with a solid September.

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“It's hard to really compare it to that because every situation is so different,” Bell said. “When I talked to Geno (Wednesday), I told him that I'm kind of thinking of two days and I might change my mind and put him in the lineup (Thursday).

“After thinking about it the rest of the day and last night, I felt like to make the most of these two days and just make sure he gets a good break. I have every intention of putting him back in the lineup (Friday) and he knows that.”

Alejo Lopez started both games at third base with Suárez sitting.

MOUSTAKAS UPDATE: Mike Moustakas, out with a heel injury, made an appearance on the field Wednesday to greet his longtime Kansas City Royals teammate Eric Hosmer during pre-game batting practice.

Moustakas had a setback during his rehab assignment on June 15 and hasn’t returned to baseball activities.

“I just feel bad for him,” Bell said. “There's nothing he can do about it. He just has to let it heal. He wants to play so bad. He just can't get over the hump with the pain until recently. I'd say the last week, it seems like each day it's getting better. Finally, he might be getting there. That's the first thing, he has to get the pain out before we even talk about the baseball steps.”

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FIRST PITCH: The daughters of late Reds outfielder Ryan Freel are scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch before Friday’s game.

The Freel family is in Cincinnati this week to assist with the Home Base program at the Reds’ youth academy, according to a press release. Freel played for the Reds from 2003-08.