Kris Negron is headed to the big league club. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
The Cincinnati Reds promoted infielder Kris Negron from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday after injuries to center fielder Billy Hamilton and second baseman Brandon Phillips.
Hamilton (hamstring) and Phillips (thumb) were not in the lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs. Both were forced to leave Wednesday’s game as a result of their injuries, and are considered day-to-day.
“It’s been bothering me for the past couple of days,” Hamilton said, according to ESPN.com. “I knew something was happening. On the last at-bat, I stepped down and I felt it pull when I started running.”
Phillips suffered the injury while making a sliding catch in the eighth inning. He wore a splint as he left the clubhouse, but X-rays were negative.
Negron, 28, has hit .269 with three home runs with Louisville. He appeared in four games with the Reds in 2012, but that is his only major league experience.
The Reds optioned right-hander Carlos Contreras to Louisville to make room on the 25-man roster for Negron. Louisville right-hander Brett Marshall was designated for assignment to make room for Negron on the 40-man roster.
Contreras appeared in three games out of the bullpen for the Reds, allowing one run in 4 1/3 innings.
