The Reds announced a trio of roster moves Saturday, including the news that David Buchanan’s contract has been selected from Triple-A. Left-hander Evan Kravetz was designated for assignment in the corresponding move to create roster space for Buchanan. Cincinnati also announced that Casey Kelly (who was designated for assignment earlier this week) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A.
Buchanan figures to get at least one start for a Reds team that been hit hard by rotation injuries, and it represents a rather remarkable comeback story. The 35-year-old Buchanan last pitched in the majors way back in 2015 as a member of the Phillies rotation, and he spent the 2016 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley before embarking on a long stint overseas. Buchanan pitched for Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2017-19, and he then spent the 2020-23 seasons with the KBO League’s Samsung Lions.
The right-hander enjoyed a good deal of success in international baseball, including a pair of All-Star nods with the Lions in 2022 and 2023. This earned Buchanan another look in North America, as he signed a minor league contract to return to the Phillies organization this past winter. Buchanan had a 4.82 ERA over 102 2/3 Triple-A innings before he was traded to the Reds earlier this week, in a post-deadline deal made possible since Buchanan hadn’t spent any time on Philadelphia’s 40-man roster this season.
Kravetz hits the DFA wire just three days after making his Major League debut, and throwing two-thirds of scoreless ball in the Reds’ 9-6 loss to the Athletics on August 28. While it’s safe to say that Cincinnati’s injury crunch helped open the door for Kravetz to get a cup of coffee in the majors, he made a solid case for promotion with a 3.40 ERA and a 25% strikeout rate in 42 1/3 relief innings with Triple-A Louisville this season.
Even this ERA was inflated by an uncharacteristically high 16.3% home run rate, though Kravetz didn’t help himself with an 11.7% walk rate in Louisville. Free passes have been something of a persistent issue for Kravetz, who has an 11.1% walk rate across his 244 1/3 career innings as a minor leaguer.
As for Kelly, there isn’t yet any word if he’ll accept the outright assignment and remain in the organization. Because he has been outrighted in the past, the veteran hurler can elect to become a free agent rather than stick with the Reds.