Cincinnati Reds sign four players to minor league contracts ahead of MLB lockout

Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
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An hour before MLB owners were expected to lockout players and freeze all Major League transactions, the Cincinnati Reds announced four minor-league signings with non-roster invitations to spring training.

The Reds signed right-hander Trey Wingenter, catcher Andrew Knapp, infielder Allen Córdoba and outfielder Trey Amburgey.

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May 27, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Trey Wingenter (58) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Trey Wingenter (58) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Wingenter hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2019. The 27-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2020 and pitched only three minor-league innings as he returned from the surgery this year. He had a 5.65 ERA in 51 innings with the San Diego Padres in 2019 with 72 strikeouts and 28 walks.

Knapp, 30, will compete for the backup catcher spot behind Tyler Stephenson. The switch-hitter appeared in 62 games with the Philadelphia Phillies last season, hitting .152 with three doubles, two homers and 11 RBI in 145 at-bats. He’s tossed out 26 of the 135 runners (19%) who attempted to steal against him.

Sep 15, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp (5) celebrates in front of shortstop Jean Segura (2) after scoring the game winning run on a pass ball during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp (5) celebrates in front of shortstop Jean Segura (2) after scoring the game winning run on a pass ball during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Córdoba last played in the Majors in 2017 with the San Diego Padres as a Rule 5 pick, hitting .208 with four homers and 15 RBI in 100 games out of rookie-ball. Reds hitting coach Alan Zinter was the Padres’ hitting coach that season. Córdoba, 25, has experience at every position besides pitcher and catcher. He hit .299 with 20 doubles, five homers and 38 RBI in 74 games at Double-A last season

Amburgey, 27, played left field and right field for the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate last season. He hit .276 in 257 at-bats with 23 doubles, eight homers and 52 RBI. He played in two Major League games in July for the Yankees and he went hitless in four at-bats.

The Reds already signed catcher Aramis Garcia, right-hander Connor Overton and right-hander Brandon Bailey to minor-league deals with non-roster invitations to spring training this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds roster: Signed 4 players to minor-league deals