The Reds announced Wednesday that Gutierrez (elbow) has been pulled from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville.
Gutierrez had been tracking toward a return from the 60-day injured list next weekend, but the Reds' decision to bring him back from the rehab assignment a week and a half early seemingly indicates that he suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. According to MLB.com, Gutierrez's fastball had hovered between 91 and 93 miles per hour in his first two rehab appearances with Louisville, but his average velocity dropped down to 90.3 mph during his most recent outing this past Saturday, when he was tagged for four earned runs on two hits and two walks over 1.1 innings. Gutierrez will presumably be evaluated by the Reds' team doctors before an update is provided on his next steps.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Advances rehab to Triple-A
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Gutierrez (elbow) moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, striking out two and walking two over two no-hit scoreless innings.
Gutierrez began his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on July 28 but was cleared to join the Reds' top affiliate after a pair of one-inning scoreless appearances. The Reds are tentatively targeting Aug. 25 for Gutierrez's return from the 60-day injured list, with manager David Bell telling Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer that the right-hander will work out of the bullpen once activated.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Cleared for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Gutierrez (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Reds' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday.
Gutierrez is in the final stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery and is finally ready to test things out in game action. While he could return to starting in 2024, Gutierrez will be prepped as a reliever for the rest of 2023.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Throws simulated game
Rotowire
Gutierrez (elbow ) threw a simulated game at the Reds' spring training complex in Arizona on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
The right-hander will begin a rehab assignment with the Reds' Arizona Complex League affiliate late this week. Coming back from last July's Tommy John surgery, Gutierrez is being prepped to return as a reliever but could go back to starting in 2024.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Moves to IL
Rotowire
The Reds placed Gutierrez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
The move is simply a procedural one to clear a 40-man roster spot, as Gutierrez underwent Tommy John surgery last July and will miss most, if not all, of 2023. If he does return, it would likely be for just a couple of appearances in September.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Undergoes Tommy John surgery
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Gutierrez (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gutierrez officially underwent surgery to correct the first-degree UCL strain he suffered in June and will now set his sights on potentially returning late next season. The right-hander will finish his 2022 campaign with a 7.61 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 29 strikeouts over 36.2 innings in 10 appearances, including eight starts.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Tosses live bullpen session
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Gutierrez (elbow) completed a live batting practice session Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Before he was placed on the 15-day injured list just over a month ago with a first-degree right elbow strain, Gutierrez had been working out of the bullpen. The Reds aren't yet decided on what kind of role Gutierrez will handle once he's back to full strength, as the team will have him build up to three innings in his throwing progression before determining whether he'll return from the IL as a reliever or starter. Since he still has yet to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment, Gutierrez isn't on track to return until after the All-Star break.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Slated to throw live BP
Rotowire
Gutierrez (elbow) will throw live batting practice Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gutierrez progressed to mound work last week, and he's now been cleared to face live hitters. After being shut down with a first-degree UCL strain in his right elbow earlier in June, the 26-year-old has recently made encouraging progress in his recovery.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Nearing bullpen session
Rotowire
Gutierrez (elbow) will throw a bullpen session this week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gutierrez was shut down for two weeks in early June after being diagnosed with a first-degree UCL strain in his right elbow. That time period has now expired, and it looks like he's ready for the next step, more or less on schedule.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Avoids worst-case outcome
Rotowire
Gutierrez will be shut down for two weeks with a first-degree UCL strain but has avoided a more serious injury, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gutierrez hit the injured list Sunday with what was originally called right forearm soreness. Any time a UCL is involved, things seldom look particularly good, but it at least seems as though Tommy John surgery is off the table at this time. Given that he won't be throwing for two weeks, however, it will be quite a while before he's back in action at the big-league level.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Out with forearm soreness
Rotowire
Gutierrez was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right forearm soreness.
The news comes after Gutierrez had moved back into a bullpen role earlier this week, so there isn't much fantasy fallout. Jared Solomon was recalled from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Handed another loss
Rotowire
Gutierrez (0-6) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over four innings Monday, striking out five and taking a loss against the Cubs.
Gutierrez took the mound for the first time since May 11 and tossed three scoreless frames before running into trouble in the fourth. He gave up an RBI double to Ian Happ followed by Patrick Wisdom's two-run blast. Gutierrez is now 0-6 with an ugly 8.70 ERA through seven starts this season. He was removed from the rotation earlier this month but never made an appearance out of the bullpen. The 26-year-old is currently lined up to face the Giants at home this weekend but it's unclear if he'll get another start.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Set to start Monday
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Gutierrez is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Cubs, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gutierrez hasn't made an appearance since being shifted to the bullpen May 13, but he'll rejoin the rotation, at least for one start, for Monday's series opener versus Chicago. The 26-year-old has a 8.65 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 19:19 K:BB across 26 innings (six starts) this season.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Moving to bullpen
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Gutierrez will shift to a bullpen role, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gutierrez's first six appearances of the season came as a starter, but he posted an 8.65 ERA and 1.96 WHIP in 26 innings while posting an 0-5 record. The right-hander will presumably serve as a middle reliever out of the bullpen, while Connor Overton will remain in the rotation. Gutierrez will be an option to serve as a spot starter at some point if needed.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Still looking for first win
Rotowire
Gutierrez didn't factor in the decision during Wednesday's 14-11 win over the Brewers after giving up four runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He had six strikeouts and two walks.
The 26-year-old was staked to a 7-0 lead of the first two innings but was unable to last the necessary five frames in order to qualify for his first win of the year. The no-decision was still progress for Gutierrez, as he took the loss in each of his previous five starts. The right-hander has an 8.65 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 19:15 K:BB across 26 innings and lines up to pitch during the two-game set in Cleveland next week.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Torched by Brewers
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Gutierrez (0-5) took the loss in Wednesday's 18-4 defeat at the hands of the Brewers, surrendering seven runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
Gutierrez got shelled in this one, giving up two homers, including a Rowdy Tellez grand slam in the bottom of the third inning. He has now allowed 13 runs over his last two starts, helping lead to an inflated 8.86 ERA and 2.02 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 21.1 innings in five starts. Given his struggles thus far, the Reds may well explore other starting options before Gutierrez's next turn comes up.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Misses out on two-start week
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Gutierrez is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Brewers in Milwaukee, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gutierrez was initially lined up to start the series opener in Milwaukee on Tuesday, but an off day Monday allowed the Reds to reorder their pitching schedule. As a result, Tyler Mahle will move to the front of the order and start Tuesday, setting him up to make a second turn Sunday against Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Gutierrez will be limited to the one start Wednesday for this week, making him an unpalatable fantasy option in the majority of leagues.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Walks four in loss
Rotowire
Gutierrez (0-3) allowed three earned runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two across 4.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Padres.
Gutierrez worked three scoreless innings to begin the start, but he surrendered a two-run home run in the fourth inning. That accounted for the majority of the damage against him, though he also allowed a third run in the fifth frame on an RBI double by Trent Grisham. Gutierrez was particularly wild Wednesday, as he hit two batters in addition to the four free passes he surrendered. Through 13 innings this season, Gutierrez has a 5.54 ERA, and his 9:9 K:BB is among the indicators that his lack of success is largely of his own doing.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Downed by Atlanta
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Gutierrez (0-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings as the Reds fell 2-1 to Atlanta. He struck out four.
It wasn't a particularly sharp season debut for Gutierrez, who threw 45 of 76 pitches for strikes, but the Cincinnati offense also gave him little support. The 26-year-old right-hander could have a hard time hanging onto his rotation spot this year once everyone is healthy with top prospects Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo getting looks, and Gutierrez is facing a tough matchup in his next scheduled start Friday on the road against the Dodgers.
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Reds' Vladimir Gutierrez: Starting team's third game
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Manager David Bell said Wednesday that Gutierrez will start the Reds' third game of the season April 9 in Atlanta, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Coming into the spring, Gutierrez was expected to battle prospects Reiver Sanmartin, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo in the Opening Day rotation, but the Reds will have room for all four pitchers with Luis Castillo (shoulder) and Mike Minor (shoulder) both set to begin the season on the injured list. Though he wasn't a heralded prospect entering the 2021 campaign, Gutierrez fared well following an early-season call-up from Triple-A Louisville and ended up sticking in the rotation for much of the year. Gutierrez wasn't especially interesting from a fantasy standpoint, however, as he finished with a 4.74 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.5 K-BB% in 114 innings with the Reds. His low strikeout rate (17.7 percent) makes him a lower-upside fantasy target than all of Sanmartin, Greene and Lodolo, even though he may have greater job security than all of the prospects.
