Cincinnati Reds Release All-Star Outfielder Matt Kemp

Matt Kemp with the Reds. Photo by Peter Joneleit/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

In order to end their struggles at the beginning of 2019 MLB season, Cincinnati Reds decided to address their crowded outfield over the weekend. Reds announced on Sunday that they had released All-Star outfielder Matt Kemp while sending Scott Schebler to their affiliate Triple-A Louisville.

Kemp arrived to Cincinnati in December from Los Angeles Dodgers and ended up playing just 20 games with the Reds in which he had a batting average of .200 alongside one home run and five RBIs. He missed the previous 11 games with the broken rib.

According to Reds manager David Bell, the reason why the team decided to move on from Kemp is that they thought the 33-year-old wasn’t a good fit.

“We just didn’t see a great fit for Matt here,” – said Bell. “He’s obviously had a great career and has been a great player. Just how our outfield is shaping up and the roster construction, we didn’t see a great fit for Matt, and that’s how the decision was made.”

Reds president Dick Williams also confirmed that fit was the biggest issue for Kemp in Cincinnati.

“With our support, (manager) David (Bell) is working hard to create a new environment in the clubhouse and on the field,” – Williams told The Cincinnati Enquirer. “After giving it time to develop, we didn’t see Matt fitting in. We wanted to give him the opportunity to help another team.”

Matt Kemp spent the majority of his career with LA Dodgers while also having stints with San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. During his time in MLB, he earned three All-Star appearances alongside three Silver Slugger Awards and two Golden Glove Awards.

Kemp’s career stats include .285 batting average, 281 home runs, and 1,010 RBIs.

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