Tyler Callihan, the Cincinnati Reds’ third-round choice in the 2019 draft, was scratched from the Louisville Bats’ matchup with the Memphis Redbirds.
Manager Pat Kelly called the 24-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, to tell him the Reds wanted him in Cincinnati.
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“It was unbelievable. It is something you work for 20 years to come through is amazing,” the smiling Callihan said. “I was just pumped to be with all of my guys there in Triple A.”
Cincinnati Reds infielder Tyler Callihan hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning during a MLB spring training baseball game, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz.© Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
It didn’t take long for Callihan to muster his family to see him open his career in the first game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.
“I called them right after (Kelly’s message),” Callihan said. “My parents bought flights right away. My wife was in Louisville. She’s driving up, so I should have 10 people here.”
Manager Terry Francona wrote him into the lineup right away, batting eighth and playing left field. Callihan plays second base and third base as well.
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“He has been doing really well at Triple A,” Francona said. “We can move him around the field, which also helps. I mean, he’s another great kid. We’ll play him in the first game. They (Cardinals) got a couple left-handers. So you know, he will probably be on the bench, but it would be kind of exciting to see him being able to help us win a few games. I appreciate that.”
Callihan hit .263 in the Arizona Fall League, making up for at-bats lost to injuries last year.
In 24 games at Louisville, Callihan slashed .303/.410/.528 with four doubles, two triples, and four home runs. He drove in 12 runs.
Callihan flew out to left and grounded out to the second baseman before Francona lifted him for pinch-hitter Santiago Espinal in the bottom of the eighth in a 1-0 game.
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Austin Hays sat out the first game. He has a tender hamstring from running the bases on Monday night. Callihan is filling that void.
“The MRI showed minor inflammation, but it is inflammation,” Francona said. “If he feels good enough, we want to let him explore not going on the IL. We’re trying to buy some time here. We’re trying to manage that. As huge as he is in our lineup, we don’t want to hurt him. His symptoms are terrible, so we’re just trying to give him a chance. It is a lot like Matt McLain’s deal a couple of weeks ago. He actually asked about that.”
Also, the MRI of Jeimer Candelario prompted his placement on the 10-day injured list.
“I don’t think I know how long he will be out. We just want to calm it down, then let the timetable be how he feels,” Francona said.
