Reds rookie pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez made it a rather easy decision. Gutierrez, who was called up for what was planned to be a spot start Friday against the Cubs, will now get his second big league start.

Gutierrez will face the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon at Great American Ball Park and take the spot that essentially belongs to the injured Jeff Hoffman.

“With Hoffy going down, his shoulder issue, it does make sense,” Reds manager David Bell said on Saturday. “We didn't really get to a point where we had to decide what to do with Guti. If Hoffy was still healthy, it would have been a different plan there. The timing worked out. I think everyone was really impressed with what he was able to do [Friday]. That's the plan moving forward.”

Hoffman went on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder impingement. Gutierrez, who was filling in for Wade Miley, allowed one solo home run and two hits in five innings and 67 pitches Friday during a 1-0 loss to Chicago.

Miley, who is on the 10-day IL with a left foot sprain, is expected to be activated and start Monday vs. Philadelphia.

Senzel has successful surgery
Reds center fielder Nick Senzel underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday. Team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek cleaned out damaged cartilage on the undersurface of the patella.

It was still unknown how much more time Senzel would miss.

• Reds Injuries & Roster Moves

“I don't have a timeline yet,” Bell said. “Just speaking with Nick, he was very encouraged. He's ready to work as hard as he can and get back on the field. He can't wait to do so. Nothing that happened in the surgery will change the fact that he has every intention to be back as soon as possible and play a lot of the year.”

Relievers grateful for new Wrigley bullpens
A couple of seasons ago as part of the remodeling of Wrigley Field, the bullpens were removed from the foul lines of both sides of the field and relocated indoors under the outfield bleachers.

Reds relievers were among the warmest players at the ballpark Friday on a brutally cold and blustery afternoon.

“Yeah, everybody was [glad],” Reds reliever Lucas Sims said. “It’s a lot different feel down there. Some guys like it. Some guys don’t. I’m kind of indifferent. Especially yesterday, it was nice to be indoors and be able to follow a game in warmth, not have to layer up a whole lot. I made a conscious effort to always poke my head out a couple of times just to kind of get a little acclimated to the weather. It’s a lot quieter in the tunnel as well. I always like popping out there and hearing the buzz, hearing the fans. Kind of taking the atmosphere that way.

“It’s not so much a shot to the system when you go out there for the first time. Especially not playing in front of anybody last year, I think they’re at 60 percent, but it felt like there was a million people. Even though I didn’t get in [the game], just being able to step out on the warning track, take it all in and see everybody back, it’s pretty exciting to see and play in front of.”