Jason Marquis could lose his spot in the Reds rotation. (Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Reds right-hander Jason Marquis had his third straight clunker, putting his rotation slot in jeopardy.
Marquis was pulled after 64 pitches and 3 2/3 innings in a 7-1 loss to the Royals on Wednesday night.
Marquis has allowed 15 runs, all earned, on 21 hits, including five home runs, in 12 1/3 innings in his past three starts, losses to the White Sox, Giants and Royals.
Will he remain in the rotation?
“That’s a tough question when you’re struggling,” Reds manager Bryan Price answered? “That’s a tough question when you’ve lost five games in a row and there have been some really poor performances in those losses. We’ve got a bunch of young pitchers and we’re asking a lot of Jason and (Johnny) Cueto to be the anchor.
“What Jason provides us is important, but it’s important that he provides us with what he’s capable of providing.”
Marquis, 36, had Tommy John surgery in 2013 and did not pitch in the majors last year. He has won only 30 games in the majors since 2009, when he won 15 games for the Rockies, spending nearly as much time on the disabled list as on the mound in that span.
