CINCINNATI, OH - APRIL 21: Mike Leake #44 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on before taking the mound to pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park on April 21, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Leake was arrested earlier in the week for allegedly stealing several items from a downtown Cincinnati department store. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
A bit of reasonably big news about the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen, straight from the horse's mouth:
Jose Arredondo reinstated from DL, Mike Leake optioned to Louisville.
What a short, strange trip it's been for Leake. Slightly more than a year ago, he became the first pitcher in a long to make the leap from the amateur ranks to the major leagues without a stop in the minor leagues. After a solid start to the 2010 season, he lost his rotation spot in August shortly before being shut down for the rest of the season. He opened this season in the Reds' rotation because of injuries to other pitchers, was arrested for shoplifting, and demoted to the bullpen with a 5.77 ERA in six starts.
Leake hasn't looked sharp in his three relief outings, while Arredondo's been outstanding in the minors this spring, after missing all of 2010 following Tommy John surgery. In 2008 with the Angels, Arredondo went 10-2 with a 1.62 ERA. He wasn't really that good, but his career strikeout rate (8.7 per nine innings) suggests real major-league talent.
Meanwhile, Leake will probably return to starting in Class AAA.
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