The Carolina Mudcats are getting a little big-league help for their final home series.

The Cincinnati Reds have optioned southpaw Matt Maloney to Carolina, and he is scheduled to make a start against the Mississippi Braves in the series opener Thursday night at 7:15.

Maloney (0-3, 6.46 with the Reds), who made his Major League debut earlier this season, has spent most of the season with the Louisville Bats.

Bio: Mike Potter is a veteran sportswriter. He covers minor league baseball, college football and women's collegiate sports for INDY Week.Twitter: http://twitter.com/mikepotterrdu