Brian

Reith

The 48-year-old Reith played 13 years of professional baseball, including three in the big leagues with the Reds as a reliever. He has spent the past five seasons as the pitching coach for Triple-A Durham in the Rays’ organization. This will be Reith’s first stint on a major league coaching staff, and it will be interesting to see what, if any, organizational approaches he brings over from Tampa Bay, where he coached current Twins starters Taj Bradley and Joe Ryan.

Reith had a 7.27 ERA in 22 appearances this season, so he probably won’t have much trouble clearing waivers. The move opens up a roster spot for Gabe White.

Reith, 26, had a 7.27 ERA in 22 appearances for the Reds last season before being sent down in June. He had a 3.72 ERA in 36 1/3 IP for Triple-A Louisville. There’s still some hope that he could someday become a decent 11th or 12th man, but he’s not there right now.

Reith, once considered a pretty good starting pitching prospect, had fanned 14 and allowed two earned runs in 8 1/3 innings of relief work for Louisville. He’ll join Cincinnati’s bullpen and pitch in middle relief.

Reith had a 3.86 ERA in 12 relief appearances for Cincinnati. It’s rather surprising that the Reds didn’t opt to send down Chris Reitsma instead.

Reith has been pitching in relief, so he probably won’t throw more than four or five innings.

Reith might have put himself into contention for a spot in next year’s rotation with the performance. He had been 1-3 with a 4.47 ERA in 41 relief appearances.

Reith, who had a 3.86 ERA in 12 relief appearances for the Reds earlier this season, will rejoin the bullpen.