Zach Buchanan

zbuchanan@enquirer.com

Even former Cincinnati Reds relievers are giving manager Bryan Price headaches.

The morning after Price said he would not send struggling right-hander J.J. Hoover and his 19.50 ERA to the minor leagues to iron things out, former Reds right-hander Sam LeCure bemoaned a double standard on Twitter.

“I wonder what my career would look like if the Reds had given me as long of a leash as they've given some people,” LeCure tweeted. “Tough to swallow really.”

LeCure followed with two more tweets expressing his love for the organization, although the original, critical tweet has since been deleted.

Despite a career 3.53 ERA at the time, LeCure was sent to Triple-A to start the 2015 season as he dealt with dwindling velocity on his fastball. He was released when the season ended.

“I think the world of the guy,” Price said. “I wish he wouldn’t have said it. We don’t need that type of stuff coming from guys that used to play for us.”

LeCure signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks over the winter, but was released at the end of spring training. He signed another minors deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has returned to starting. He has a 2.70 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Lamb needs results

Rehabbing left-hander John Lamb gave up nine runs in 2 ⅔ innings in his second minor-league start for the Triple-A Louisville Bats on Friday. Lamb will get at least one more rehab start, but will need better results if he wants to jump to the majors from there.

The Reds have two other rehabbing starters – Homer Bailey and Anthony DeSclafani – for whom results is not as much of an issue.

“In John’s case, we have to get him stretched but he also has to be throwing the ball well,” Price said. “The other two guys, we’d like them to throw beautifully, but the most important thing is we get them stretched out and get their durability and stamina built back up.”

Once Lamb’s rehab assignment time runs out, the team will have to place him on the active roster or option him to the minors.

Injury updates

Right-hander Alfredo Simon is set to start Sunday’s finale against the Chicago Cubs after missing his last turn with biceps tendonitis. Simon threw a bullpen session Friday.

Outfielder Yorman Rodriguez, who has been out with a hamstring injury since late in spring training, has resumed taking batting practice. Price said Rodriguez could begin a rehab assignment while the team is on its next road trip to New York and Pittsburgh, which begins Monday.