Finnegan comes off DL for start vs. Cardinals

CINCINNATI -- The Reds announced Brandon Finnegan was activated from the 10-day disabled list on Saturday and got the ball for his 2018 debut against the Cardinals. It was Finnegan's first big league start since June 26, 2017, also vs. St. Louis.
Finnegan, who turns 25 today, sustained a strained left trapezius last April after three starts. Upon his return in June, he strained the teres major muscle near his left shoulder in the fourth inning of his comeback outing. That July, he dislocated his right shoulder after falling from a boat and required surgery.
During Spring Training on March 11, Finnegan exited a start in the first inning with a left forearm strain that put him behind schedule to begin the regular season.
"It's just tough. You hate sitting around watching your team play and not being a part of it -- especially since I haven't pitched since June," Finnegan said. "As soon as I get a chance, I hope I can help us win."
Cody Reed, who was penciled in to start Saturday, is available from the bullpen. Reed pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Thursday.

Finnegan threw 98 pitches in a rehab assignment start on Monday for Triple-A Louisville. He allowed four runs (three earned), eight hits and five walks with two strikeouts.
"He recovered from his last start. He came out of it feeling good," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He threw a good bullpen [session]. I think everybody signed off on the fact that the kid is ready. He's done everything we've asked him to do. Now, we need to get him out into a big league ballgame and see where he is at. It's good to have him back."
Floro called up
On the heels of Thursday's 13-4 loss to the Cardinals and amid heavy bullpen use lately, the Reds called up Dylan Floro from Louisville on Friday. Tanner Rainey, who walked his first three batters in the seventh inning for three runs on Thursday, was optioned to Louisville to make room on the 25-man roster. The Reds designated Ariel Hernandez for assignment to clear a spot for Floro on the 40-man roster.
Floro, 27, was a non-roster invite to Spring Training and compiled a 4.66 ERA in seven games. He was sent to Minor League camp on March 22. He threw three scoreless innings in two games for Louisville.
"We could use another sinkerball pitcher to go with Jared Hughes coming out of the bullpen to keep the ball on the ground, keep it in the park," Price said. "I think the fact he's pitched in the big leagues before could make a difference. He won't have to get over, so much, the jitters."
Floro made 12 appearances for the Rays in 2016 and pitched in three games for the Cubs last season.
"No matter what -- it doesn't matter if it's five years, two years or five days -- every chance you get to come back to the big leagues is special," Floro said.
Floro wasn't discouraged when he was cut during camp, especially when he impressed in his first few outings.
"You can't sit and look at negatives," Floro said. "I went to Louisville and took advantage of my first couple of outings, and it got me the chance to get back up here."

Schebler improving
Reds right fielder Scott Schebler, who hasn't played since being hit on the right elbow by a pitch on April 1, was in a great mood on Friday. Schebler, who sustained ulnar nerve damage, finally has the feeling back in his right pinky and ring fingers.
"It's pretty exciting stuff to feel your fingers again. You take that for granted," Schebler said. "I went through throwing and went through hitting today. It was really good."
Schebler is eligible to be activated from the 10-day DL on Tuesday, but it remains to be seen if he will go out on a rehab assignment to get some at-bats.

Morale maintaining
The Reds are off to their worst start since they went 2-11 in 1955. Price, obviously, isn't pleased with the team's record but felt that veterans like Joey Votto, Eugenio Suárez, Devin Mesoraco and Tucker Barnhart have helped keep morale from spiraling.
"I think they keep a really good tenor in the clubhouse," Price said. "We've been through some stretches, really challenging and difficult times as far as winning games the last few years. It's nothing you get comfortable with or accept or tolerate or say, 'This is OK.' But we can make this a much worse environment if we lose sight of what we're trying to do, and that's improve and get better and get over this hurdle."