Bronson Arroyo back with Reds, to start vs. Cardinals

The Reds have selected the contract of pitcher Bronson Arroyo and he will start for them today against the Cardinals, per a team announcement and Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Arroyo, 40, is going to be making his first start for Cincinnati since 2013 and his first start in the majors since 2014, when he pitched for the Diamondbacks before suffering a ulnar collateral ligament injury and having Tommy John surgery on it. Arroyo came back to the Reds this offseason on a Minor League deal and will now be playing in his 16th season in the majors.

During his time with the Reds from 2006-13, Arroyo went 105-94 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 265 starts. His best seasons were in 2006 and 2010. His 2006 campaign ended with him posting career bests in ERA (3.24) and innings pitched (240 2 /3 innings) while going 14-11 and earning his only All-Star selection. His 2010 campaign featured him earning a career high in wins (17) and WHIP (1.14) in 33 starts that spanned 215 2/3 innings.

To allow Arroyo to join the team, the Reds optioned Barrett Astin to Triple-A Louisville. Buchanan reports the Reds’ rotation “will turn over” following Arroyo’s start and that the only guaranteed pitchers to start will be Scott Feldman on Sunday against NL Central rival St. Louis and Brandon Finnegan on Monday against fellow division foe Pittsburgh.