Reds place LHP Garrett on IL with lat strain

The Cincinnati Reds placed left-hander Amir Garrett on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left lat strain and recalled utility player Josh VanMeter from Triple-A Louisville. Garrett has been dominating this season, going 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA over 42 appearances with 54 strikeouts in 37 innings, but he was not included on the National League All-Star team.

The IL move for the 27-year old was retroactive to Wednesday. He last appeared in a game Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers and struck out all three batters he faced, relying on a slider that he has incorporated more this season. Of his 16 pitches in the outing, 12 were sliders. "It was definitely a pitch that was on (against the Brewers)," Garrett said afterward, according to MLB.com. "To be honest, I really wasn't feeling it in the bullpen. It's weird how that works sometimes."

Garrett has not allowed a hit in any of his last six appearances over 5 2/3 innings. VanMeter, 24, returns to the Reds after playing in 28 games earlier this season. The rookie is batting .220 with two doubles and three RBIs.