CINCINNATI -- The Reds optioned reliever J.J. Hoover to Triple-A Louisville prior to Saturday's game against Milwaukee at Great American Ball Park. Hoover began the season as the Reds' closer, but in 12 appearances, he's compiled a 14.34 ERA while allowing six home runs, falling back into a pattern of struggles reminiscent of two years ago when he lost 10 consecutive decisions and allowed 13 home runs.
"It's just struggle," said manager Bryan Price. "He's just not [at] the same velocity, the same command and, probably more importantly than any of those is it's not the same shape of the pitch and the location.