The Cincinnati Reds have trimmed their roster prior to Friday’s trip to Scottsdale to face the San Francisco Giants. According to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, right-handed pitchers Julian Aguiar and Jose Franco were joined by shortstop Edwin Arroyo and outfielder Hector Rodriguez in being optioned to AAA Louisville, while infielder Leo Balcazar was optioned to AA Chattanooga.
Right-hander Darren McCaughan, who was in camp as a non-roster invitee, was reassigned to minor league camp as part
of the moves.
Perhaps the biggest bit of news here is that both Aguiar and Franco are now out of the running for spots in the team’s starting rotation for Opening Day. Both were always going to be considered dark horse candidates given the presence of each of Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson in camp, but it’s somewhat notable that both were optioned right now given that we’re all waiting with bated breath to see just how forked ace Hunter Greene’s right elbow is.
As for the rest of the moves, they’re pretty stock issue. Arroyo is already away with Team Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic, and despite his best efforts so far in spring camp is clearly behind Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain in the middle-infield mix for the time being. It’s a similar story for Rodriguez, as he’s buried on the depth chart (for the time being) behind the likes of JJ Bleday and Will Benson and will get a second, more thorough chance to mash at AAA as still just a 21 year old.
It’s also worth pointing out who did not get cut in this round. Despite having pretty significant hills to climb to beat out more established guys for Opening Day roster spots, each of Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Rece Hinds, Tejay Antone, and Blake Dunn will remain in big league camp for the time being, as will non-roster guys like Nate Lowe and Garrett Hampson.
