The Cincinnati Reds announced a series of roster adjustments today, notably acquiring outfielder Peyton Burdick off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and subsequently optioning him to Triple-A Louisville.
To accommodate his addition to the 40-man roster, the team transferred left-handed reliever Alex Young to the 60-day injured list. Additionally, right-handed reliever Ian Gibaut was sent on a rehab assignment.
Burdick’s return to Cincinnati holds local significance as he hails from Batavia and played collegiate baseball at Wright State before being drafted in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft by the Miami Marlins.
He made appearances in the majors with Miami in both 2022 and 2023, registering a .200/.281/.368 batting line with six doubles, five home runs, 11 walks, and 53 strikeouts in 139 plate appearances.
Following a trade from Miami to Baltimore in February, Burdick experienced several roster moves, ultimately landing with the Reds. In Triple-A Norfolk, he struggled at the plate, recording a .182/.333/.455 line with 28 strikeouts in 16 games and 69 plate appearances.
Despite showcasing power in the minors, his batting average has been a challenge throughout his minor league career, with a .233/.352/.457 line across five seasons and 412 games played.
Meanwhile, Alex Young has yet to pitch this season due to a back injury sustained in spring training.
His transfer to the 60-day injured list does not affect his expected return timeline, simply opening a spot on the 40-man roster temporarily. On the other hand, Ian Gibaut embarked on a rehab assignment with Louisville, delivering an impressive outing with a flawless inning that included two strikeouts on 12 pitches.