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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > May > 22 > Entry
Gomes called up, McDonald sent down
What fans have been howling for (some of us media, too) has come to pass - the Cincinnati Reds have recalled outfielder Jonny Gomes from Class AAA Louisville and designated for assignment outfielder Darnell McDonald to Louisville.
Also, as espected, the Reds played pitcher Edinson Volquez on the DL and called up Homer Bailey to take his place temporarily in the rotation, beginning with a start Saturday against the Cleveland Indians.
The Reds also called up RHP Carlos Fisher, a No. 11 draft pick in 2005. Fisher, 26, spent the 2006 season with the Class A Dayton Dragons and was 12-5 with a 2.76 ERA over 27 starts, but was shifted to the bullpen at Class AA Chattanooga last year, then was called up to Louisville and was 5-0 in 14 appearances with a 1.04 ERA.
To make room for Gomes on the roster, the Reds designated for assignment McDonald and optioned RHP Ramon Ramirez back to Louisville.
Bailey made eight starts at Class AAA Louisville and went 3-5, 4.57 (45.1 innings, 46 hits, 17 walks, 43 strikeouts, 9 homersh).
Fisher made 13 apparances for the Bats, all in relief, and went 2-0, 2.00 and when he pitches he will be making his Major League debut.
In 37 games at Louisville Gomes hit .282 and leads the team in homers (9) and RBIs (27) Many thought Gomes should have come north with the team out of spring training, but he was a non-roster player and reassigned to Louisville the day before Opening Day.
Rob Butcher
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Comments
By Big Daddy
May 22, 2009 11:48 PM | Link to this
What a sad day to be a Reds fan. Reds fans are excited Jonny Gomes got called up. YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!By W.Va. Fan
May 22, 2009 10:30 PM | Link to this
Good moves by the front office. Gomes will really help. Glad McDonald is gone. Bailey will start to mature and may stay up. Gonzo played great D tonight and Gomes helped win the game ! Get rid of Encarnacion. To inconsistent.By Jimmy1Time
May 22, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this
Glad to see what should have been done at the first of the season. Now what to do with Gonzo and EE? Gonzo may be making nice plays, but Jerry can hit. Rosie, well you have to love his way of playing, ALL OUT! Dig it! Janish could be a nice fill in late in a game for Jerry. I say cut Gonzo lose. What could it hurt. I hate taking Jerry bat out of the lineup. When he is in, we win. I cant say enough how I dis like Gonzo. Awful pickup Wayne!By Ziggy
May 22, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
Looks like Walt is taking charge. Toothpick would have NEVER sent McD down on his own. He was gonna ride that dud till doomsday just like he rode Corey P all last year even though everybody knew it was a gigantic mistake. Dusty is truly stupid. Fire him ASAP.By Ridnaway
May 22, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this
This is a good move. I’m assuming Gomes will start in LF when facing left handed pitchers. He might pinch hit tonight then start Saturday & Sunday. He can also play 1B if the situation calls for it but I think Hernandez has done remarkably well during Votto’s illness.By Bill from Florida
May 22, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
Hey Paul, I like your line-up too (once Votto is back). I’m still concerned about defense at 3B: EE, Rosales, Hairston, no one is capable in reality.By dhagoreds
May 22, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this
Greg, Yanish is just as good at defense and a better hitter. I think Gomes/nix should get all the playing time in left and as a person to spell Bruce/Taveras.By Zargov
May 22, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
Oh No! Is this the same Darnell McDonald that the great strategist Dusty put in to pitch hit for Nix back on the 10th. I suppose he was concerned Nix might get a hit and win the game.By Michael In Monterey, CA
May 22, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
Good move- should have been done 3 weeks ago. Now send down Dickerson and bring up Stubbs.By RC
May 22, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
OK, now Gomes is on his way to Cincy. Votto is better, and I assume it’s possible he’ll be back in the lineup this weekend… so what exactly is Gomes’ role on this team? Platooning with Nix/Dickerson in LF? Pinch hitter/bench sitter (McDonald’s old job)? Late inning defensive replacement? (Sorry, just kidding about that last one.) And not to join the chorus of people questioning Reds personnel moves, but… wouldn’t Gomes have been a lot more useful if he’d come up last week, when a 1B was needed, instead of this week? I admit to some puzzlement…By greg
May 22, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this
Keep gonzo nobody is close to him on d, i know he cannot hit, but ss is all about d to me. I want dusty to use the same lineup on a daily basis. The phillies have 5 lefties in a row it does not bother them to run the lefties out every day.By -kwm-
May 22, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this
McDonald was the one DFA and Ramirez was sent to Louisville..at least according to the officials Reds release: Today the Reds placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to 5/17, RHP Edinson Volquez; optioned to Louisville RHP Ramon Ramirez; designated for assignment OF Darnell McDonald; recalled RHP Carlos Fisher (#46) and RHP Homer Bailey (#34); selected from Louisville the contract of OF Jonny Gomes (#31). Bailey made 8 starts at Class AAA Louisville and went 3-5, 4.57 (45.1ip, 46h, 17bb, 43k, 9hr)…he will start for the Reds tomorrow night vs the Indians. Fisher made 13 apps for the Bats, all in relief, and went 2-0, 2.00 (18ip, 11h, 4bb, 21k, 0hr)…when he pitches will be making his Major League debut. In 37g at Louisville OF Jonny Gomes hit .282 and leads the team in HR (9) and RBI (27)…a non-roster invitee to spring training camp, he was reassigned to Louisville the day before Opening Day. Rob Butcher Director of Media Relations Great American Ball Park 100 Joe Nuxhall Way Cincinnati, OH 45202-4109 RButcher@reds.com Office 513-765-7090 Fax 513-765-7180By Jason M.
May 22, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this
Rosales is a nice story but he isn’t a major leaguer. EE is a head case. Maybe next year we’ll have a real left side of the infield.By RETIRED SGT
May 22, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this
Anyone notice that the REDS are 1-5 since Gonzo returned to the lineup? Get rid of him.By Brian A
May 22, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this
I think finally the Reds made some good moves. We knew McD shouldn’t have been on roster period all yr and Gomes is versitale and his bat can’t be worse than McD. Never a fan of Ramon R, see what this Fischer can do, and Bailey well I think in all sincerity this maybe on of his final shots to stick with the Reds much less MLB. Going to the game tom night love to see him pitch good and give the rotation a boost. Also on a side note, going to be in town next Tuesday for business our company is taking us to the game. Who are Reds facing? The Astros and Roy Oswalt. However, this Indians series is a must win 2 out of 3.By Paul
May 22, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
Bill you’ve been in that florida sun too long…keep baker… get rid of gonzo and EE. A good lineup would be: CF Taveras SS Hairston 1B Votto 2B Phillips RF Bruce LF Gomes C Hernandez 3B RosalesBy Roho Radio
May 22, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
You’re right, Ian…sensical. Then Bill got a woodie and tried to take it WAY outta here. Those pending issues will be with you to stay the entire season, Bill. Might as well get some medication now, unless you’re on it already. Then I don’t know what to tell you. Good Luck!By Bill from Florida
May 22, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this
Taveras CF, Hairston 3b, Philips 2B, Bruce RF, Gomes 1B, Nix LF, Hernandez C, Janish SS.By Bill from Florida
May 22, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this
Well, there they go, step by step, making the changes and fixing the roster. Pending issues: Get rid of Gonzo, get rid of EE, trade in a 3B and FIRE BAKER!!!By ian
May 22, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
These seem like pretty sensical moves all around. It will be interesting to see what happens if Bailey does really well his next two starts.