29 Brandon Finnegan SP

Finnegan was added to the Reds' 60-man player pool Friday.

Finnegan wasn't included in the initial group of players and missed out on summer camp, but he'll head to the alternate training site to begin participating in workouts. The 27-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since 2018, when he had a 7.40 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 14:15 K:BB over 20.2 innings (five starts).

Finnegan hasn't thrown a pitch yet this season and is working with a "third party" to work on his mechanics and strengthening, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The Reds haven't disclosed which third party is working with the Reds and Finnegan, but Sheldon suggests that it could be someone similar to Driveline Baseball, the same company that Trevor Bauer has worked with often.

While Finnegan has cleared waivers, the location of his assignment hasn't officially been decided, though it's unlikely to be to Triple-A Louisville, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Finnegan's most likely destination is Double-A Pensacola instead. "We're discussing options," Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said. "Right now, we don't think he'll go to Triple-A. It's possible he would go to Double-A, maybe in order to work out of a rotation and get more innings in a more conducive environment."

Finnegan cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Despite some prospect pedigree, no team wanted to take a chance on the 25-year-old lefty, whose 4.11 career ERA in 260.2 innings is not well supported by his 5.13 FIP. He'll fill an organizational depth role for the Reds.

Finnegan has been designated for assignment by the Reds.

The Reds claimed Jose Lopez from the Giants, and it spelled the end of Finnegan's run on the 40-man roster. He was one of the headliners the Reds received from the Royals in the Johnny Cueto trade at the 2015 trade deadline, but never made good on his high pedigree. It would not be surprising to see another team roll the dice on Finnegan.

Finnegan was sent to minor-league camp Monday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Manager David Bell suggested earlier in spring training that Finnegan would make the Opening Day roster, but it seems that won't be happening now. The 25-year-old's 19.80 ERA in five spring innings certainly didn't do much to convince anyone that he's better than the 7.40 ERA he recorded in 20.2 frames last season.

Finnegan threw a perfect first inning in Tuesday's spring training game against the Giants, and afterward manager David Bell said that Finnegan had a place with the Reds, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Bell seemed to assure that Finnegan will make the Opening Day roster, which is a bit of a surprise. Bell said of Finnegan on Tuesday, "He'll have a spot. Our approach is really just to build him up to a point of keeping the options open," Bell said when asked about a potential role for the left-hander. "Two, three, four innings and kind of seeing where we are, seeing how the staff shapes up. Just allowing him to be in a good spot with his workload to where he can slot in and help us at any point in any role."

Finnegan will transition to a relief role with Triple-A Louisville, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

Finnegan simply has not been able to find any success as a starter this year -- he owns a 7.40 ERA over five big-league starts and 7.24 ERA over eight starts with Louisville -- so the Reds will see what he can do in relief. Finnegan posted a 2.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB in 34 innings over 23 relief appearances at the major-league level earlier in his career, so it certainly would not be out of the question for him to find success pitching out of the bullpen.

Finnegan will be optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The move clears room for Matt Harvey to officially join the rotation for his start Friday against the Dodgers. Finnegan was given a vote of confidence regarding his spot in the rotation earlier in the week, but the acquisition of Harvey changed matters. Finnegan's start to the season was rocky as he posted a 7.40 ERA through five starts and lasted a combined 20.2 innings in those appearances. He'll head down to Triple-A for now and figures to be one of the top candidates to be called back up whenever the Reds need a fresh arm next.

Finnegan will remain in the rotation for his next start, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Finnegan's performances have hardly merited another turn in the rotation. His ERA sits at 8.27 through five starts and he's walking 14.6 percent of batters while striking out just 13.6 percent. In what is already very clearly a rebuilding season for the Reds, though, the team has little reason not to let Finnegan try to work through his struggles in hopes of him recovering the form which gave him a solid 3.98 ERA in his first full season back in 2016. The 25-year-old battled shoulder issues last season and a biceps strain this spring, so it's possible that poor health has been the primary cause of his early struggles.

Finnegan (0-3) allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two across 3.1 innings Sunday as he took the loss against the Marlins.

Finnegan got rocked early and was replaced by Dylan Floro in the fourth inning following a rain delay. He gave up all five runs in the first two frames and exited with a 5-2 deficit. The 25-year-old's early struggles carried over into his fifth start of the season, and he sits with a 8.27 ERA and 2.03 WHIP across 20.2 innings. Finnegan will need to put together a quality outing soon, or he'll be in danger of losing his spot in the starting rotation.

Finnegan allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts through five innings in a no-decision Monday against Milwaukee.

Finnegan still hasn't had an appearance longer than five innings in his four starts this season. He also has walked three or more in three of those starts, and those control issues have come back to bite him all three times. Finnegan needed 89 pitches to get through five innings on Monday, and he managed just five swinging strikes. Finnegan just doesn't have the swing-and-miss stuff to get away with putting runners on base. It has shown in the early going, as he now owns a 7.27 ERA with 12 walks in just 17.1 innings.

Finnegan didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Braves, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings while striking out four.

The left-hander threw 52 of 77 pitches for strikes, but while his control was good his command within the zone wasn't as sharp, as he gave up a number of hard-hit balls that fortunately found their way into the gloves of Reds defenders. Finnegan will take an 8.03 ERA into his next start Monday at home against the Brewers.

Finnegan (0-2) took the loss Friday against the Cardinals, giving up four runs on five hits in three innings while striking out two and walking four.

Finnegan was done in by a couple of RBI doubles and a sacrifice fly, putting the score at 4-0 through two. The walks didn't help Finnegan's cause, and by the end of the third he was already at 76 pitches. Through two starts, the young lefty has allowed nine runs on 11 hits in 7.1 innings. That kind of run allowance just can't fly on a Reds team that isn't scoring very much to start the season (currently the club is tied with Kansas City for last in the majors in runs scored). Next up will be a home start against the Braves.

Finnegan (0-1) was charged with the loss Saturday against the Cardinals, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Home runs really hurt the southpaw in this one, as Greg Garcia got him for a pair of homers in the brief outing. Finnegan worked with baserunners throughout his 2018 debut and struggled with command, as he required 91 pitches to get through the abbreviated start. He'll look to get back on track in his next scheduled start Friday in a rematch with the Cardinals.

Finnegan (biceps) was activated from the 10-day disabled list and will start Saturday against the Cardinals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

This had long been rumored, despite Cody Reed being listed as Saturday's starter earlier this week. Finnegan struggled with his control Monday, walking five batters in five innings with Triple-A Louisville. The 5-foot-11 lefty has a 3.83 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 216 strikeouts in 240 career innings in the majors. He will oppose Miles Mikolas and the 7-7 Cardinals on his 25th birthday.

Finnegan (biceps) will likely start Saturday against the Cardinals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

The Reds had been listing Cody Reed as Saturday's probable starter, but manager Bryan Price said the team will likely turn to Finnegan instead. Finnegan struggled with his control during a rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Monday, issuing five free passes in as many innings, but at least he successfully built up to 98 pitches. Finnegan was showing some encouraging signs late in 2016, but he missed nearly all of last season with a shoulder injury and most in mixed leagues will want to wait and see how he looks before investing.

Finnegan (biceps) covered five innings during a rehab start Monday for Triple-A Louisville, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and five walks in a 7-1 loss to Columbus. He struck out two batters in the outing.

Finnegan threw only 53 of his 98 pitches for strikes, displaying the spotty control that has been a hallmark during his time in the big leagues. The high pitch count suggests that Finnegan is likely ready to handle a starter's workload for the Reds, though the poor outing may prompt the team to delay his activation from the 10-day disabled list. If Finnegan isn't brought off the DL when the Reds require a fifth starter Friday against the Cardinals, Cody Reed would likely remain in the rotation for one more turn.

Finnegan (biceps) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Monday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

Manager Bryan Price said Finnegan's simulated game went off without a hitch, but the team will play it safe and send the injury-prone starter for another tuneup before allowing him to rejoin the big-league rotation. If everything goes well in Monday's minor-league start, Finnegan's next outing could come April 14 against the Cardinals.

Finnegan (biceps) has a simulated game Wednesday and could return from the DL as early as April 9 against the Phillies, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Finnegan has already pitched in a minor-league spring training game to build up his innings. Without any setbacks, it appears that his absence from the Reds' rotation will be short.