Reds notes: Fernando Cruz shows he belongs in Majors; Jose Barrero remains out of lineup

It was an achievement when Fernando Cruz was promoted to the Major Leagues, a story of perseverance after playing in the minor leagues, Mexican League, independent leagues and anywhere that would give him a chance.

That could’ve been the highlight of his story, but he’s doing his best to make sure that’s just the first chapter of his big-league career.

Cruz entered Sunday with a 0.87 ERA across 10 appearances. He’s allowed three hits and one earned run across 10 1/3 innings while striking out 13 and walking six. He’s frequently matching up against the top of opposing lineups whether it’s his two starts as an opener or his middle relief role.

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“He opened eyes before he got here,” Reds Manager David Bell said. “He wants to be a Major League pitcher. He’s shown it since he’s been here. He’s shown himself that he’s right, we believe he is also. He has the stuff and mentality to really be a good pitcher in this league.”

Cruz, 32, is a rookie in terms of Major League experience, promoted Sept. 1, but he has a veteran mentality. He was a longtime closer in other leagues, so he’s not fazed when there are runners on base.

His mentality, he says, is remembering how unsuccessful some of the best hitters are. If the top hitters are batting .300, they’re still out seven out of 10 times, so he always feels like he has the advantage.

“When you go through that much adversity in your career, the confidence has to build,” Cruz said. “You’re automatically building confidence and there is nothing more that I have to go through. I just go out there and compete. You’re going to get my best at all times. I’m going to make you swing at my stuff.”

Cruz has stranded four of his six inherited runners and taken one loss this season, giving up an unearned run in the 11^th inning of a walk-off loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

“Young guys, they need to know they’re really good,” Cruz said. “If they are up here, you’re nasty. You’re the man out there. The mentality that I’m talking about, it’s what got me here. Why are you going to be successful against me if I have the best stuff? I will always have the advantage against you. That’s the kind of question you have to ask and what worked for me every time.”

Jose Barrero out of Reds lineup again working on swing

Jose Barrero has been out of the lineup for seven of the last 11 games, and he continues to work on swing adjustments with hitting coaches Alan Zinter and Joel McKeithan.

There is no hiding how much Barrero has struggled since he was called up, entering Sunday with a .156 batting average and .190 on-base percentage, but Manager David Bell says he expects Barrero to start most of the team’s games over the last 10 days of the season.

“He's making some good strides with the work he's doing and we're trying to get it to a point where he doesn't really have to think about it so much in the game,” Bell said. “I think a lot of times for, not only young players but when you're struggling to get hits, it's hard to hold onto what you're working on. You kind of get in defense mode, just trying to survive or chasing the hits. Trying to get it to a point where he can really trust what he's doing.”

Barrero, the Reds’ 2021 minor league player of the year, missed the first six weeks of the season after he had hamate surgery on his left wrist in spring training. He didn’t hit well in Triple-A before his promotion, with a major uptick in strikeouts, but the Reds still hope the 24-year-old can turn into a long-term contributor.

“There is no question in any of our minds that he has it in him,” Bell said. “He knows what he needs to do. At this point, it's really all about trusting himself and that's a lot. That can be really difficult for any player.”

Since the start of August, Barrero’s .403 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) is the lowest in the Majors. The other two players below a .500 OPS are Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (.463) and Cleveland Guardians center fielder Myles Straw (.498).

“I think any bigger adjustment, it's difficult to do when you're in the grind of playing every day,” Bell said. “I think there is a place for it when you're not playing every day or even in the offseason. But at some point, it's all about the game, so you do need that feedback. We still have the 10 days. He's learned a lot about himself through this. I plan to play him a lot, most, if not every game here the last 10 days or so after (Sunday). That'll help but then there's still going to be work to do.”

Reds roster moves: Art Warren moves to 60-day IL, Daniel Duarte remains at Triple-A

Art Warren, who underwent surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, was formally recalled from the minor leagues and was placed on the 60-day injured list.

Warren did not pitch in the minor leagues after he was optioned Sept. 10, so he’ll return to the big-league injured list.

The Reds ended Daniel Duarte’s rehab assignment and will keep him at Triple-A Louisville. Duarte has allowed eight hits and eight runs in 6 2/3 innings while striking out six and walking six.

Duarte, who was on the Reds’ Opening Day roster, was sidelined for more than four months with right elbow inflammation.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Fernando Cruz finds success in Reds bullpen; Jose Barrero sits again