CINCINNATI -- In need of a fresh arm for their bullpen after two taxing days for the club’s relievers, the Reds selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Tyler Thornburg ahead of Friday's 8-1 win over the Pirates at Great American Ball Park.

To make room, utility infielder Christian Colón was designated for assignment.

Cincinnati signed Thornburg to a Minor League contract on Dec. 31 and invited him to Spring Training. He did not make the club out of Summer Camp last month, and he was part of the player pool at the alternate training site. In his Reds debut on Friday, he pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

Thornburg, 31, had a 3.47 ERA in 185 games with the Brewers and Red Sox. He was limited to 25 appearances with Boston in 2018 to recover from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. With Milwaukee, he worked with pitching coach Derek Johnson and bullpen coach Lee Tunnell.

“We’ve gotten to know him over the two camps,” Reds manager David Bell said “He’s healthy and throwing the ball well. He has a lot of experience pitching in a lot of different roles, important games, good teams. It will be nice to have him. We wouldn’t be afraid to use him in any situation.”

Thornburg had a 2.87 ERA in 144 games with the Brewers over five seasons from 2012-16. His best year came in ’16, when he posted a 2.15 ERA in a career-high 67 games. Boston acquired him in a trade after the season. Injuries occupy a portion of his resume, however, including one to his right elbow in '14.

In 2019, Thornburg posted a 7.71 ERA in 16 games before going on the IL with a right hip impingement. He was released after recovering, and he spent the remainder of the season at the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate.

“He’s been good in his career. I know he’s dealt with a few injuries, so I think that’s fair,” Bell said. “Which is good, because he’s healthy. He’s healthy now, so we’re glad to have him here.”

Colón was batting .130 in 11 games this season, playing sparingly. However, he was a well-liked veteran whom Bell hopes can clear waivers and stay in the organization.

“He’s also just an incredible teammate,” Bell said. “He’s helped our team, players on our team, just by being a great teammate and caring about them. He’s made our team better.”

Barnhart stops hitless skid
When Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart led off the ninth inning of Thursday’s game vs. the Pirates with a home run, it removed a weight from his shoulders. He was carrying an 0-for-22 slump when he went deep for the first time in 2020.

“There's day-savers and there are Titanic lifeboat savers, and that was a like a Titanic lifeboat for me,” Barnhart said. “It's been a grind. There's no doubt about that.”

In Friday's win, he recorded a double and two RBIs.