MILWAUKEE -- One day after reliever Ariel Hernandez gave the Reds 2 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts vs. the Brewers, he was optioned back to Double-A Pensacola on Tuesday. Reliever Barrett Astin was recalled from Triple-A Louisville to take Hernandez's place on the 25-man roster and in the bullpen.
Hernandez would not have been available to pitch for a couple of days.
"We need to have some pitching depth here," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "The addition of Barrett Astin will give us some length as well. He's been stretched out to three innings in Triple-A and that will give us some depth if we need it in extra innings or if we have an early-game situation."
• Hernandez brings triple-digit heat in debut
Price believed that Hernandez, the Reds' No. 23 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, would get another opportunity in the Majors.
"The great thing for Ariel is he came up and got an opportunity to pitch and he did well," Price said. "For a lot of these guys, they come up with the caveat that it might be a short stay. I think they're all disappointed when they get sent back to the Minor Leagues. However, it's a great experience for a young guy to come in there and test out their stuff. Yesterday it worked really well against the Brewers. I think that would have worked against anybody. Now he just has to work on the consistency on a regular basis."

This is Astin's third big league callup of the season. He last pitched for the Reds on April 13 vs. Milwaukee and delivered two scoreless innings with two hits.
Cingrani update
Reds reliever Tony Cingrani, who went on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with a strained right oblique, appears to be making progress with his rehab back in Cincinnati.
"The injury report says he has zero pain from the injury, as of [Monday]," Price said. "His everyday movements, and his strengthening and rehab exercises, he's not having any soreness with it at all. That's a good sign."
Cingrani could begin a throwing program by the end of the week. He is eligible for activation on Saturday, which would seem unlikely until he gets at least one rehab game in the Minors.