Schebler back with Reds as Feldman hits DL
ATLANTA -- The Reds' Scott Schebler rejoined the team Friday after a bruised left rotator cuff landed him on the disabled list on Aug. 1.
The shoulder had been bothering Schebler, 26, since he made a diving catch in shallow right field on June 3. He was given anti-inflammatories and placed on a strengthening program, but Schebler continued to struggle, posting a .077/.172/.154 slash line since the All-Star break.
"It's huge and I just want to be a part of the lineup, as it is pretty good," Schebler said. "I just want to give them some extra protection at the back end and do what I can. Getting back into a rhythm and playing every day will be great."
Prior to the injury, Schebler hit .241/.309/.540 with 16 home runs in 52 games, and he has expressed regret for playing through the pain without alerting medical staff.
Schebler is fresh off a three-game rehab stint with Triple-A Louisville, where he went 3-for-9.
"The biggest sign from going down there and playing is that I think I hit like three or four balls to left field," Schebler said. "It is huge for me as I didn't do that for a whole month. It is obviously a good sign and it feels good."
Just as Schebler is returning from the DL, Scott Feldman, who was plagued by right knee troubles during his start Thursday, has been placed on the 10-day disabled list. Feldman allowed five home runs to the Cubs, struggled with his velocity and couldn't cover first base on a routine groundout.
Feldman's right knee has long been a source of trouble. He spent almost a month out of commission with inflammation, but he was reinstated on Aug. 12 after the team deemed him healthy enough to throw. Feldman's only other start since returning from the disabled list, which came on Saturday in Miwaukee, yielded four innings of work, the sole blemish being a three-run homer in the first inning.
Speaking to reporters after his start Thursday, Feldman was less than confident in his ability to bounce back.
"No question about it, I did not look like a Major League pitcher today," Feldman said. "I've got to see how it goes the next few days. But I'm not really feeling too confident about it at the moment. It's one thing to try and go out there and compete and pitch through it. The way I felt today -- really, the last four games -- it hasn't really gotten any better.
"I don't feel like I'm doing anybody any favors by going out there like that. If it's not going to get any better, it's embarrassing to go out there and give up five home runs and lose a nine-run lead like that."
Reds manager Bryan Price said that the team will re-evaluate Feldman when the team gets back to Cincinnati. He didn't rule out possible surgery but said that it is an option if needed to get Feldman back healthy.
"I think one of the options will be season-ending, but we would like to get back to Cincinnati first," Price said. "I think it was inevitable at some point and time that he was going to have the knee taken care of. We will get back and see what the next step is in his recovery from a recurring knee problem."