Aguiar Makes MLB Debut as Reds Try to Bounce Back Against Blue Jays

The Cincinnati Reds (60-64) were riding high after an impressive three-game sweep over their NL Central rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. Then, the Kansas City Royals came to town and outscored them 28-3.

There's no time to dwell on the past with 38 games remaining and a playoff window closing by the minute. Now, they travel to the Toronto Blue Jays (58-66) to face off against one of the few teams in baseball with a worse record.

With Hunter Greene hitting the IL, the Reds called up 2021 12th-round pick Julian Aguiar (3-1, 4.40 ERA in Triple-A Louisville) to take his spot in the rotation for the time being.

With Louisville, Aguiar has been solid, overall. He had one seven-run outing and allowed at least three runs three other times. However, over his last two starts, Aguiar has thrown 11 2/3 innings and allowed four runs off 11 hits and just one walk.

No official word on the team claiming Ahmed Rosario, so he is absent from Monday's lineup:

1.) 2B Jonathan India
2.) SS Elly De La Cruz
3.) C Tyler Stephenson
4.) CF TJ Friedl
5.) LF Spencer Steer
6.) DH Jeimer Candelario
7.) 1B Ty France
8.) RF Jake Fraley
9.) 3B Santiago Espinal
SP Julian Aguiar

Unfortunately, despite the social media campaign, it's not looking like Joey Votto will make an appearance in this series. If the Reds are going to face off against one of the greatest to wear the C in its history, it'll come at a later date.

Speaking of former Reds, Kevin Gausman (11-8, 4.20 ERA). Side note, Gausman has made 283 starts in his career. Five were in his first season and one was with the Reds. Cincinnati used Gausman in the bullpen. Incredible.

As for 2024, Gausman has been impressive. He leads all of baseball with two complete games. He's coming off his sixth start of at least seven innings and didn't allow a run despite six hits and two walks.

The two-time All-Star (and 2023 third-place in Cy Young voting) is making his sixth start against the Reds. In 2021, he made a pair of starts as a member of the San Francisco Giants and in his most recent outing, he tossed six innings of one-hit shutout baseball against Cincinnati.

The Blue Jays' Votto-less lineup:

1.) RF George Springer
2.) CF Daulton Varsho
3.) DH Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
4.) 1B Spencer Horwitz
5.) C Alejandro Kirk
6.) 2B Will Wagner
7.) SS Ernie Clement
8.) LF Joey Loperfido
9.) 3B Addison Barger
SP Kevin Gausman