The Cincinnati Reds had won 12 straight games entering play on Saturday, but they did get some more bad news out of the starting rotation as starting pitcher Ben Lively was placed on the injured list.
The following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:
The Reds placed Lively on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right pectoral strain.
ANALYSIS
Lively had already been scratched from his next scheduled start Sunday versus Atlanta with what was initially described as pec soreness. Now, the 31-year-old righty will officially miss multiple turns through the rotation. The Reds didn't announce a corresponding move, so it remains to be seen who will start in Lively's place Sunday.
That's a tough break for a Reds team that is already down Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo from the rotation, the latter of which won't be back until at least August.
The 31-year-old had filled in admirably, going 4-4 thus far with a 4.11 ERA over nine games. He's struck out 45 batters in 46 innings.
At the time of this posting, the Reds are doing their best to keep their winning streak going, but they trail the Braves, 6-4, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Rookie Matt McLain has a two-run homer for Cincy while Matt Olson has homered for the Braves.
The series concludes on Sunday afternoon at 1:40 p.m. ET. Charlie Morton (6-6, 3.71 ERA) pitches for Atlanta while the Reds have not yet announced a replacement starter for Lively's spot in the rotation.
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