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Evaluating the Reds' remaining roster in camp after roster cuts

Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read
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GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cincinnati Reds made roster cuts on Monday as they get very close to finalizing their Opening Day roster. There are 31 players left in camp who are healthy and have a shot to be on the Opening Day roster, and the Reds' current spring training roster looks a lot like what their roster will look like at the start of the season.

The Reds assigned infielders Josh Harrison and Tony Kemp and relievers Justin Bruihl, Tyler Gilbert and Brooks Kriske to minor league camp. Harrison exercised an opt-out in his deal and is now a free agent.

Veteran infielder Josh Harrison, a Cincinnati native who was in camp on a non-roster invite, opted for free agency when the Reds assigned him to minor-league camp on Monday.
Veteran infielder Josh Harrison, a Cincinnati native who was in camp on a non-roster invite, opted for free agency when the Reds assigned him to minor-league camp on Monday.

Here's a breakdown of the Reds' roster.

Catcher (four, one is dealing with an injury): Tyler Stephenson, Luke Maile, PJ Higgins, Austin Wynns. Stephenson and Maile will be the Reds' catching combination this year. Wynns is battling a shoulder injury. Higgins hasn't caught much in camp and has been more of a first baseman.

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Position players (12, one is out with an injury): Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, Jeimer Candelario, Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Stuart Fairchild, Will Benson, Jake Fraley, Nick Martini, Mike Ford, TJ Friedl. The Reds will carry 11 position players on the Opening Day roster, and they have 11 healthy position players. Higgins, who's hitting .111 with a .405 OPS this spring, is the only other candidate to make the Opening Day roster in big league camp who's not listed in this group of players.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said the Reds are considering external options to fill the roster spot that opened with Friedl's wrist injury. Martini and Ford are power hitting left-handed bats who have similar skill sets. The Reds' plan to fill the outfield against left-handed pitching remains unclear, with Will Benson becoming an everyday player as the most likely in-house option.

Starting pitchers (7, one is dealing with an injury, another one will start the year on the injured list): Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, Nick Martinez, Brandon Williamson, Nick Lodolo. Lodolo will start the season on the injured list and return on April 10. Williamson left his start on Sunday with shoulder soreness.

Bullpen (12, two are out with an injury, one is coming back from an injury): Alexis Diaz, Emilio Pagán, Sam Moll, Ian Gibaut, Lucas Sims, Brent Suter, Buck Farmer, Fernando Cruz, Justin Wilson, Tejay Antone, Alex Young, Tony Santillan. Gibaut (forearm) and Young (back) will start the season on the IL. Moll dealt with a shoulder injury earlier in camp, and manager David Bell said the hope is that Moll will be ready.

Matt McLain scratched due to shoulder soreness

On Monday night, second baseman Matt McLain was scratched from the lineup for precautionary reasons due to left shoulder soreness.

McLain missed the start of spring training after he tweaked his oblique. He returned to game action on March 10. Through five games, he’s still looking for his first hit on the spring.

Brandon Williamson battling shoulder soreness

Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson was trying to strengthen his case for a spot in the Reds’ starting rotation on Sunday. But after he allowed four runs and walked three batters in two innings against the Cleveland Guardians, he exited the game with shoulder soreness.

“I don’t know any details on that (yet),” Reds manager David Bell said. “I’m hoping it’s nothing. We did shut him down as a precaution.”

Brandon Williamson, among those competing for a starting spot in the rotation, lasted only two innings Sunday night against the Cleveland Guardians before being pulled with shoulder soreness. He allowed four runs and walked three batters.
Brandon Williamson, among those competing for a starting spot in the rotation, lasted only two innings Sunday night against the Cleveland Guardians before being pulled with shoulder soreness. He allowed four runs and walked three batters.

For the Opening Day roster, Frankie Montas and Hunter Greene have their spots solidified at the top of the rotation. Nick Lodolo is expected to join the active roster on April 10. Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, Nick Martinez and Williamson have been in the mix for the final three spots in the Opening Day rotation, which will turn into two open spots when Lodolo returns.

This spring, Williamson has allowed eight runs in 11 innings.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Evaluating the Reds' remaining roster in camp after roster cuts