CINCINNATI (AP) - Down to only two fully healthy outfielders for their playoff push, the Cincinnati Reds acquired utilityman Willie Bloomquist from the Kansas City Royals on Monday for either a player to be named or cash.
The NL Central leaders had been looking to get another outfielder after injuries left them with just Jonny Gomes in left and Drew Stubbs in center. The Reds began the day with a six-game lead over St. Louis.
Bloomquist is a short-term fix. He had been set to start in left field Monday in the Royals’ game against Oakland.
The 32-year-old Bloomquist has started games this year at second base, third base, left field, center field and designated hitter. He had a nine-game hitting streak snapped over the weekend. He’s batting .265 with three homers and 17 RBIs.
The Reds have held onto first place despite a series of strains, sprains and bruises that hit the outfield particularly hard. Laynce Nix has a sprained ankle, Jay Bruce and Jim Edmonds have strained abdominal muscles and Chris Heisey has been limited by a strained biceps.
They were so desperate for a healthy outfielder that they started infielder Miguel Cairo in right field over the weekend against Pittsburgh. It was only his third career start in right field and his first in five years.
The Reds also have been forced to use backups for shortstop Orlando Cabrera (strained abdominal muscles) and second baseman Brandon Phillips, recovering from a bruised hand.
On Monday, the Reds also recalled right-handed reliever Jared Burton from Triple-A Louisville and designated right-handed reliever Enerio Del Rosario for assignment.
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