When Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims felt ready to make his 2022 debut, he wanted to give it one more outing. He wanted to throw in one more Triple-A rehab game to be sure that when he was back in the Reds bullpen, he’d be able to step right into a high-leverage role for the Reds.
Sims’ preparation for the 2022 season was delayed due to back spasms, but he re-joined the active roster on Friday. After his four rehab outings, Sims is expected to be one of the most important relievers in the Reds bullpen.
“The first time you let it rip, there’s a little soreness there,” Sims said. “Then you start getting back into a routine. After the first one, you bounce back better. There was a little bit that comes with maturity in age. Understanding that we’ve got to do the front end correct. Now I’m looking forward to pitching the rest of the season healthy and taking the ball as often as possible.”
Whenever Sims was healthy last season, he was in the mix to finish the game out of the bullpen as the Reds’ closer.
Reds Manager David Bell usually used a two-man closer by committee approach last season, and Sims was almost always one of the top options. Even though he pitched in only 47 games, Sims had seven saves in 2021, one behind the team leader.
Cincinnati Reds:By the numbers: A breakdown of the Cincinnati Reds’ 9-game losing streak
Joe Votto:Joey Votto likes his offensive start to dance: ‘I’m just slightly out of step’
Reds losing streak:Cincinnati Reds end ’embarrassing’ West Coast road trip with a shutout loss to Padres
Due to the lockout and the shortened spring training, Sims didn’t have the usual amount of time to ramp up for the season. Since he dealt with elbow issues in 2021, Sims didn’t want to rush his return process, and he started the year on the 10-day Injured List.
While Sims missed six weeks last season with a sprained elbow, he posted a 4.40 ERA in 47 innings. In September, he struck out 21 batters in 11 2/3 innings.
“Sometimes it’s not changing everything, it’s more continuing to do what I do really well,” Sims said. “I watched a lot of what I did toward the end of the last year, I thought I really started hitting my stride. I saw what I did really well and some things I can improve on. That’s coming down to being consistent.”
The Reds’ bullpen has had promising stretches over the first three weeks of the season. Sims will join Tony Santillan, Art Warren, Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson as the Reds’ top relievers for late innings in close games.
Sims pitched in four rehab games in Triple-A over the last 10 days, striking out five batters in four innings. Sims said he had “jitters” going to the ballpark on Friday, feeling like this was his Opening Day, but he’s confident that the way he prepared for the season will help him stay healthy the rest of the way.
Tommy Pham:‘Dirty as (expletive)’: Tommy Pham, Reds upset at Luke Voit slide injuring Tyler Stephenson
Joey Votto:Joey Votto on citizenship: ‘It felt like the natural progression. It feels like home here.’
Network fans:Paul Daugherty: Reds fans, if you’re angry, you can do more than talk about it
“We’ve got a lot of baseball left and there’s plenty of time for this team to turn around, get things going in the right direction and start winning some ball games,” Sims said. “We’ve got a resilient group of guys, and we’ll keep fighting no matter what.”
Reds option Ryan Hendrix to Louisville Bats
In a corresponding move on Friday with Sims, the Reds optioned reliever Ryan Hendrix to Triple-A.
Hendrix, who made the Opening Day roster, split time between MLB and Triple-A last season. In five relief appearances in 2022, Hendrix allowed three runs and four walks while striking out four batters.
Jonathan India injury update
Reds second baseman Jonathan India is currently on the 10-day IL with a hamstring injury, but he showed a positive sign on Friday. Before the game, India ran the bases and took defensive reps at second base. He’s eligible to return to the active roster on Tuesday.
www.cincinnati.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism