Reds monitor rookie pitcher Gutierrez’s workload
The Cincinnati Reds aren’t placing any limitations on rookie pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez, but they’re monitoring his workload as he’s scheduled to make at least two more starts before the end of the regular season.
Gutierrez hasn’t completed four innings in three of his past four starts, totaling a 7.80 ERA in his last 15 innings. He nearly has as many walks (six) as strikeouts (nine).
“There hasn’t been any serious discussions or any plan to take him out of the rotation or anything like that,” said manager David Bell. “It’s more of just being aware of where he is. That could happen, but as of now, he’s still making his next start.”
Gutierrez has pitched 108 innings in the majors this year and 17 innings at Triple-a Louisville. He pitched 137 minor-league innings in 2019, but he didn’t pitch any competitive innings last summer when he was serving an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He pitched 17 innings in the Dominican Winter League last offseason.
“I’m always appreciative of the confidence the team has given me,” Gutierrez said, according to team interpreter Jorge Merlos. “They have a job to do obviously to manage the game and work the game out. I’m always trying to get as far into the game as I can and go through the inning as quickly as possible to get deeper in the game. It’s not coming out that way right now, but I’m just going to keep trying and doing my best.”