Nobody said life was fair. Or baseball, for that matter. In the immediate aftermath of giving the Cincinnati Reds with more pitching prowess, and innings, than anyone had a right to expect, Kent Emanuel was designated for assignment between games of a doubleheader Monday (Aug. 17) against the Cardinals. Emanuel, who spent the past two seasons pitching in independent-league ball before signing with the Reds on Aug. 6, made his first career big-league start – and first career appearance overall since 2024 in Monday's opener – giving up two quick runs in the first before pitching in and out of trouble for four scoreless innings after that in a 2-1 loss to the Cards.
"The way the game started – he hits the first guy in the foot, we got first and second before he could even breathe," manager Terry Francona said. "Gives up the double. And then hung in there. I'm very proud of him. He gave us everything he had." Because of the big need for pitching on a doubleheader day, Emanuel was the odd man out after perhaps the most impressive of 22 career big-league outings, having turned in Monday's 96-pitch performance after just one minor-league start since signing with the organization.
The Reds called up reliever Zach Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville to take Emanuel's spot on the roster for Game 2. If Emanuel goes unclaimed, the Reds might be able to retain him. At 34, Emanuel was the fifth-oldest pitcher to make his first big-league start for the Reds since 1900 – oldest in 70 years. The four older: Pat Scantlebury (38 years ‒160 days) vs. Cardinals in 1956; Johnny Niggeling (36 ‒ 36) vs. Pirates in 1939; Jake Beckley (35 ‒ 61) vs. Pirates in 1902; and Ted Kleinhans (35 ‒ 55) vs. Cubs in 1934. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Thank you, and goodbye. Reds DFA Kent Emanuel after impressive start