Innings limit with Iglesias is a special case

MILWAUKEE -- There is an easy formula for figuring the innings limit for all of the Reds’ rookie starters, except Raisel Iglesias.

You take last year’s total innings pitched and add 25 to 30. But in Iglesias’ case, his total was zero.

Iglesias defected from Cuba in November 2013. He did not pitch competitively until he arrived in the Arizona Fall League in November 2014. And he only pitched seven innings in the AFL in seven appearances.

Before this year, the last time he pitched regularly was when he threw 82 2/3 innings for Isla de la Juventud in Cuba.

Iglesias threw more than that with in-camp competition and the World Baseball Classic.

“It’s very similar to (Aroldis) Chapman,” Reds manager Bryan Price said, “in that we knew how things were in Cuba.”

The Reds have a number in mind before Iglesias would go to the bullpen.

“We have a number of innings that we’re comfortable with,” Price said. “Then the other thing is really the eye test to see if there’s fatigue or lack of command or just a general malaise to his body.”

Iglesias has shown none of that. He’s been the Reds' best pitcher recently.

He’s 3-6 with a 3.92 ERA overall in 80 1/3 innings. But he’s been brilliant in August. He’s 2-4 with a 2.25 ERA in his six starts. He’s struck out 45 and walked 10 in 39 2/3 innings.

“He’s actually rounding into form,” Price said. “He has that delivery similar in some ways to Bronson (Arroyo), even though he throws harder. It’s not as demanding a delivery as someone who’s constantly over the top.

“That low three-quarter and periodic drop down is a little bit easier. That doesn’t mean we’re not conscientious of his innings. But right now, the eye test suggests he is just fine.”

The Reds are obviously pleased with Iglesias’ progress.

“His maturation has moved more rapidly than anyone else here,” Price said. “The first thing was ‘can he start here, does he have the stuff?’ He’s answered that question with an exclamation point.”

BOESCH UPDATE: Outfielder Brennan Boesch has not played since he fouled a ball off his right ankle a week ago.

“Every day is a testing ground right now,” Price said. “This has gone on longer than we anticipated for sure. We anticipated this being a three- to five-day thing. He’s had lot of inflammation. It hasn’t subsided.”

Boesch did hit in the cage Friday.