This is getting kind of strange as the Reds have claimed Andy Phillips off waivers just a little more than a week after losing him to the Mets. Phillips only played in 4 games for the Mets and he was 1 for 5 (.200 avg) with 1 run scored. Phillips has now played in 19 games for the Mets & Reds this season and he is 4 for 26 (.154 avg, .406 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Don’t expect much from Phillips this time around for the Reds.

The Reds have signed 32-year old lefty swinging outfielder Rob Mackowiak to a minor league contract. Mackowiak played in 38 games for the Nationals this season and he was 7 for 53 (.132 avg, .462 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. Mackowiak is a much better hitter than he showed for the Nationals and the Reds hope that he can find a spark for them at some point this season. Mackowiak has now played in 856 games in his major league career and he is 603 for 2,328 (.259 avg, .737 OPS) with 307 runs scored, 64 homers, 286 RBIs and 49 stolen bases.

The Reds have decided to designate 1B Andy Phillips for assignment. Phillips played in 15 games for the Reds this season and he is 3 for 21 (.143 avg, .407 OPS) with 1 run scored and 4 RBIs. The Reds won’t miss Phillips much as they have better players than him coming off the bench.

The Reds have sold veteran righty reliever Jim Brower to the rival Cubs. Brower pitched in 18 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he was 0-1 with 3 saves, a 2.77 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. The Reds must not think Brower could help them because they sold him to the Cubs. If he does anything for them this season it will make the Reds look bad.

The Reds have recalled 31-year old righty swinging 1B Andy Phillips and sent outfielder Corey Patterson to AAA. Phillips has played in 40 games in AAA this season and he is 46 for 146 (.315 avg, .887 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 5 homers and 22 RBIs. Phillips has played in 203 games in his major league career and he is 121 for 479 (.253 avg, .678 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 11 homers and 60 RBIs. He likely won’t play much with Joey Votto starting most of the time at 1B.