RHP Lisalverto Bonilla pitched five innings Saturday against the Cubs, giving up four earned runs and three hits. He walked three and struck out six. He's the first Reds reliever to pitch five innings since Keyvius Sampson on August 14, 2016 at Milwaukee.

RHP Lisalverto Bonilla was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday. "He's a length relief pitcher," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "He's been stretched out. (The recall) It's a benefit for him and a benefit for us. You've seen we've been flipping pitchers. We're trying to get into a groove where we're consistently getting six innings from our starters." Bonilla was claimed off waivers from the Pirates on Feb. 13 and began this season with the Bats, going 2-0 with a 5.56 ERA. He has five major league appearances including three starts, all for the Rangers in 2014.

Bonilla's Tommy John surgery went as expected Wednesday morning, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Stefan Stevenson reports.

He will miss all of 2015 and a good portion of the first half of 2016 as he recovers from the surgery. Bonilla's role with the Rangers at that time will likely be as depth in the upper level of the minors.

Bonilla (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

It's unclear when Bonilla sustained the injury or the exact nature of the ailment, but after visiting with team doctor's he'll undergo the season-ending surgery. The 24-year-old will also likely miss the beginning of the 2016 season, but could return in the first half of the year if all goes well in the rehab process.

Bonilla (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day DL on Saturday.

His elbow injury is apparently quite serious, as he was elected to be removed from the 40-man roster following the waiver claim of Stolmy Pimentel on Saturday. Pimentel will essentially take the spot that a healthy Bonilla would have occupied in the middle of the Rangers' bullpen.

Bonilla will start the season on the disabled list, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Bonilla reportedly received a shot in his throwing elbow for discomfort, so it's a bit unclear what the issue is exactly. However, it will cost him at least a small portion to begin the season, and could prevent him from a spot in the starting rotation. It's unclear what role he will serve when he returns from the injury, but it's possible he will end up in the minors.

Bonilla will compete for the Rangers' fifth starter spot this spring, the team's official site reports.

Ross Detwiler is the favorite, while Nick Tepesch and Nick Martinez are also in the mix. Most likely, Bonilla will stick with the Rangers in a relief role, but he may remain stretched out as a starter at Triple-A if the Rangers feel he brings more value to the organization as a depth option to start.

Bonilla (3-0) threw six shutout innings Wednesday against the Astros, allowing four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts to notch his third win of the season.

Bonilla became the first Rangers pitcher to win each of his first three big-league starts. The 24-year-old had two rocky relief appearances in September before being added to the rotation. As a starter, Bonilla sports a 2.12 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 17 innings.

Bonilla will start for the Rangers on Wednesday against the Astros.

In 11 innings as a starter this season, Bonilla has posted a 3.27 ERA, but his 7:8 K:BB ratio suggests that he's been extremely fortunate in those two starts. Scott Baker will be available out of the bullpen as the long man this week.

Bonilla (2-0) gave up two runs on two hits over five innings pitched as he allowed four walks and struck out four in the win on Friday against the Angels.

The 24-year old Bonilla stymied an Angels lineup that has been smashing the ball over the last month or so. He kept the ball on the ground for the most part, but did allow too many walks in the game. He'll need to harness his control and command if he wants a shot at a rotation spot in 2015.

Bonilla will start Friday against the Angels, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The 24-year-old right-hander will get another opportunity in place of Scott Baker (triceps), who is making progress but still isn't ready to start for Texas. Bonilla picked up the win in his first career start last Saturday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks, with three strikeouts over six innings. He posted just a 4.10 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 39 appearances (six starts) for Triple-A Round Rock.

Bonilla will start Saturday against the Braves.

Bonilla will step in to oppose Julio Teheran in his first career major league start, with Scott Baker scratched due to right triceps tendinitis. The 24-year-old right-hander worked primarily out of the bullpen at Triple-A Round Rock this season, posting a 4.10 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 92:25 K:BB across 74.2 innings.

Bonilla will be called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, John Blake of the Rangers' official site reports.

Expect Bonilla to be contained to middle relief in his first taste of the majors. In 39 outings, including six starts, at Round Rock this season, he supplied a 4.10 ERA, 1.321 WHIP, and 92:25 K:BB in 74.2 innings.