Reds manager Bryan Price told right-hander J.J. Hoover he is no longer the Reds’ closer, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. For now, the Reds will utilize a closer-by-committee approach.
Hoover was hit around for 10 runs (nine earned) on eight hits and four walks with four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings to begin the season. It’s a small sample size for sure, but the right-hander is striking out batters at a much lower rate than usual and is walking batters at what would be a career-high rate. Hoover has also thrown 83 fastballs and on average, his velocity this year is down more than 1 MPH.
Tony Cingrani and Blake Wood, who each struggled during Wednesday afternoon’s win against the Rockies, are likely to see some ninth-inning work.
