Hoffman (3-5) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were routed 7-0 by the Mets, giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander wasn't really fooling anyone in his first appearance since May 26, as he tossed only 44 of 82 pitches for strikes and served up two homers. Hoffman hadn't allowed multiple homers in any of his 10 starts prior to landing on the IL with a shoulder impingement, but his control and command were both shaky prior to the injury. On the season, he sports a 5.20 ERA and 39:30 K:BB through 45 innings.

Hoffman (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's start against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman had been on the injured list since late May due to a right shoulder impingement, but he made four rehab starts at Triple-A Louisville prior to his activation. He most recently pitched July 7, when he tossed 82 pitches across 5.1 innings during his rehab outing. Manager David Bell said that the Reds will consider using a six-man rotation going forward, but it's not yet clear whether Hoffman will remain in the rotation following Wednesday's start.

Hoffman (shoulder) confirmed Saturday that he's set to return from the injured list to start Wednesday against the Mets, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Reds manager David Bell hinted earlier in the day that the team was looking at temporarily going to a six-man rotation, and it appears that will indeed be the case. It's not clear whether Hoffman will be in line for multiple starts or if he'll make just one before retreating to the bullpen. It's also possible he sticks around as a starter while Vladimir Gutierrez loses his place, though Gutierrez's 4.29 ERA in nine starts this season beats Hoffman's 4.61 mark in 10 trips to the mound.

The Reds will consider going with a temporary six-man rotation when Hoffman (shoulder) comes off the IL next week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager David Bell wants to give Tyler Mahle and Luis Castillo a couple of extra days given that they didn't get much more than their usual rest after last weekend's series in Milwaukee. "There is a chance we would add (Hoffman) in for a couple of reasons," Bell said. "Some of our starters with (Tyler) Mahle pitching tonight, Luis (Castillo) pitching tomorrow, they're getting an extra day or two, but not an extra four days. There was only so many guys we could do that with, where we could give them a larger break."

Hoffman (shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehab start Friday for High-A Dayton.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman will be pitching for the first time since July 7, when he tossed 5.1 innings (82 pitches) in his fourth rehab outing for Triple-A Louisville. At this point, Hoffman appears to be fully ramped up for starting duty, but the Reds don't seem to have a spot available for him in the big-league rotation. Rookie Vladimir Gutierrez has emerged as a reliable No. 5 starter since Hoffman landed on the shelf in late May with a right shoulder impingement.

Hoffman (shoulder) will make a fourth rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman has gone 10 innings without allowing an earned run during his rehab assignment. Despite the good results, the Reds don't seem to be in a hurry to bring him back or decide whether he'll start or relieve when he does return. They're also getting Michael Lorenzen back soon, and have gotten good work out of Vladimir Gutierrez, which might explain their lack of urgency.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Hoffman (shoulder) will make a third rehab start for Triple-A Louisville later this week, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman's second rehab outing came Sunday, when he struck out six over four scoreless frames. He was capped at 49 pitches in that outing, so the Reds may want to see him increase his count to the 60-to-75 range before activating him from the 10-day injured list prior to the All-Star break. The Reds have yet to determine Hoffman's role upon returning from the IL, but he would have to settle for bullpen duties if the club opts to keep Vladimir Gutierrez in the rotation.

Hoffman (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman has missed nearly a month after exiting a late-May start with a sore shoulder. That could mean he requires multiple rehab outings before being activated from the injured list, though the Reds have yet to specify when they expect him back.

Hoffman (shoulder) has been throwing bullpen sessions at Triple-A Louisville this week and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the affiliate next week, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman, who hasn't pitched since May 27 due to right shoulder soreness, will likely make one or two rehab starts for Louisville while the Reds weigh whether to bring him back as a member of the rotation or bullpen once he's activated. Before landing on the shelf, the right-hander was serviceable but unspectacular over his 10 starts, posting a 4.61 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 41 innings. Meanwhile, Vladimir Gutierrez (2.74 ERA and 1.09 through four starts) has been impressive as Hoffman's replacement in the rotation, and his quality work may be enough to keep him ahead of Hoffman in the pecking order when both are healthy.

Manager David Bell said Tuesday that Hoffman (shoulder) could go on a rehab assignment later this month, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell was far from specific in updating the right-hander's return timeline, but it appears evident that he's likely a ways out from going on a rehab assignment. Given that he'll likely need to make multiple rehab outings when that time comes, a mid-to-late-June return to the Reds seems like the absolute best case scenario at this point.