The Reds released Lutz (elbow) among their moves Wednesday.

The team needed to make room on their 40-man roster for Ivan De Jesus Jr. Lutz is already out for the season with the elbow injury.

Lutz will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury.

Lutz has already undergone Tommy John surgery and will now begin the recovery process. In the 2015 season, he batted .190 with three RBI in 13 games with Triple-A Louisville.

Lutz was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Lutz has struggled in his limited major league action thus far, slashing .176/.222/.255 in 28 games with the big league club last season. The 26-year-old was seen as a potential candidate to fill in as an extra outfielder, but will probably benefit more from getting regular at bats in the minors rather than occupy a bench spot in the majors.

The Reds promoted Lutz as part of their September callups Monday.

Lutz dominated Double-A to begin the season but he was pretty mediocre at Triple-A Louisville, hitting .234/.304/.395 in 195 at-bats.

Lutz was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Lutz has seen just one at-bat since July 30, so it's hardly a surprise that he was chosen to get the bump with the Reds needing to add some depth at catcher behind Brayan Pena (hamstring). Tucker Barnhart was recalled in the corresponding move. The team may opt to leave Lutz at Louisville for the time being so he can play regularly, but the 25-year-old figures to return when rosters expand.

Reds recalled INF/OF Donald Lutz from Triple-A Louisville.

Lutz will function in a utility role for the Reds while Skip Schumaker is sidelined with a concussion. The 25-year-old has appeared in seven games with the Reds already this season, going 1-for-13 with a pair of walks and a run scored. He can safely be avoided in all fantasy formats.

Reds optioned INF/OF Donald Lutz to Triple-A Louisville.

The move clears a spot for Joey Votto's return from the disabled list. Lutz went 2-for-13 (.154) with a double over seven games with the Reds.

Reds recalled INF/OF Donald Lutz from Triple-A Louisville.

Lutz has crushed the ball this year in the minors, batting .337/.400/.654 with seven homers over 28 games between Double- and Triple-A. The 25-year-old figures to see some time at first base while Joey Votto (quad) is out.

Reds outfield prospect Donald Lutz hit for the cycle as part of a 5-for-6 night that included four runs, two RBI, and 12 total bases.

Lutz is 25 and playing for Double-A Pensacola for part of the third consecutive season, so his .362/.422/.724 season should be taken with a grain of salt. He could still be a productive corner outfielder if the Reds have an injury.

Reds optioned OF Donald Lutz to Triple-A Louisville.

Lutz had a homer and a triple in Cactus League play, but he's in need of more seasoning. The outfielder hit just .245/.318/.424 at Double-A last season.

Donald Lutz went 1-for-2 with a triple and two runs batted in Wednesday against the Indians.

Lutz isn't likely to make the 25-man roster out of spring training, but the Reds didn't mind reaching down to Double-A to call him up last season. If he impresses with his spring performance, as he did last year, he will be on the Reds' speed dial if they are in need of an outfielder.

Reds optioned OF Donald Lutz to Double-A Pensacola.

He's no longer needed with Chris Heisey back from the DL. Lutz batted just .241/.254/.310 over 34 games for the Reds.

Donald Lutz logged his first career multi-hit game in Saturday's 10-0 demolition of the Phillies.

Lutz went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. He's batting .290 with a .419 slugging percentage through 31 at-bats, but Lutz has yet to take a walk. Lutz had 20-plus home runs in two straight minor league seasons and has displayed NL-only upside when given an opportunity, knocking in six runs, jacking a home run and stealing a pair of bases. He'll likely have to wait until 2014, at least, to become fantasy relevant, however.

Donald Lutz blasted his first major league homer, a three-run shot, in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

Lutz's dinger in the second inning clanked off of the foul pole in right field to give the Reds an early lead, a lead they would hold all day. The outfielder now has six hits and five RBI in 19 at-bats in his first stint in the majors. Despite the nice start, Lutz is likely to be optioned when Chris Heisey returns later this week.

Reds purchased the contract of OF Donald Lutz from Double-A Pensacola.

Lutz has 20-plus home runs in two straight minor league seasons, but he's struggled at the Double-A level so far, hitting .211/.294/.513 with five homers in 85 plate appearances. He figures to see semi-regular starts in left field with Chris Heisey on the DL and is probably worth an add in NL-only leagues.

The Reds will call up Donald Lutz to take Chris Heisey's (hamstring) spot on the roster.

Lutz is batting just .211 at Double-A Pensacola this season, but he's hit five homers and has gone deep 42 times over the previous two seasons. He would figure to see some starts in left field and is probably worth an add in NL-only leagues.

Donald Lutz hit a three-run homer and also drove in two more with a double in Wednesday's 14-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

Lutz has banged out 20+ homers in two straight minor league seasons for the Reds, but he's played just 40 games above A-ball. The best the 24-year-old can hope for in 2013 is probably a September call-up.

Donald Lutz suffered a broken finger while fielding a ball during an Arizona Fall League game.

The good news is that the break isn't considered too serious, but it will knock him out for the remainder of the AFL schedule. Lutz has played just 40 games above A-ball and isn't particularly close to reaching the majors.