MLB Player News

Before getting sent down in the first wave of spring training cuts, Santillan pitched in three games, giving up five runs on nine hits and a walk over four innings, good for an 11.25 ERA.

Santillan was added to the Reds' 40-man roster in the fall and was ticketed for Triple-A Louisville even with a good spring. He has a decent slider and fastball, but that's never really translated into decent strikeout numbers above A-ball. He's there in case a couple of the Reds starters break, but his more likely future is in the bullpen.

Brebbia generated a 6.75 ERA across 5.1 innings over five Grapefruit League appearances before spring training was suspended.

The right-hander turned in another heavy workload for the Cardinals last season, tying for second on the team with 66 appearances and posting a solid 3.59 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 72.2 innings while also recording 12 holds. Brebbia is likely to be relied on frequently in 2020, Will Leitch of MLB.com reports, with his ability to work multiple innings giving him robust job security as long he continues to be as effective as he's been in his first three seasons.

Hoffman was in a tight race with Chi Chi Gonzalez for the fifth starter's spot prior to the shutdown, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

He threw four scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a minor-league game in his most recent appearance of the spring, but he gave up seven runs (four earned) while striking out four in 5.2 innings against big-leaguers this spring. Hoffman has had some success by removing his changeup from his arsenal and focusing on using just his fastball and curveball, although that two-pitch mix would work better in the bullpen than in the rotation. Harding speculates that Gonzalez is the slight favorite while Ubaldo Jimenez is a dark horse candidate.

Iglesias pitched in only four games this spring, giving up six runs (two earned) over 3.2 innings. He struck out four while allowing six hits and a walk.

Iglesias remains the closer and probably will get used more traditionally this season, but he has less job security this season than last. The Reds spent heavily on improving the lineup this offseason and expect to win, so if he falters early like he did last season, it's reasonable to expect a change to occur. Moreover, the alternatives behind him are stronger, with Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson coming off good seasons and Pedro Strop joining the team.

Strop got off to a late start in spring training but pitched four innings while allowing one run on two hits and a walk, striking out two.

Strop is one of many options for the Reds to help set up Raisel Iglesias, along with Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson. His performance last season was hampered by a hamstring injury suffered in spring and a neck injury that sidelined him during the campaign.

Shafer was dealing with a flexor mass irritation during spring training and pitched in only one game in February, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Shafer was a long shot to make the Reds' Opening Day roster, having been acquired for cash considerations from the Jays after they had already designated him off their 40-man roster. The arm injury further limits his chances, though the delay to the start of the regular season could help Shafer log more exhibition appearances before Opening Day.

Bowman is battling for one of the last two-to-three bullpen spots for the Reds. In five spring training outings, he allowed three runs over five innings, serving up two homers while striking out four and walking two.

Bowman is competing with Justin Shafer, Joel Kuhnel, Lucas Sims, Cody Reed and possibly Tyler Mahle if the Reds move him to relief.

Suter allowed five earned runs over five innings in three appearances this spring. He gave up nine hits and posted a 4:2 K:BB.

Suter worked primarily as a starter in 2017 and 2018, but he pitched exclusively in relief last September after recovering from Tommy John surgery and will remain in that role when the 2020 campaign begins. Suter was not particularly sharp this spring, but he was last season, giving up just one earned run over 18.1 innings (0.49 ERA) out of the bullpen. He will not be part of the late-inning mix, but he does figure to cover multiple innings frequently, which will help his chances of picking up wins.

Finnegan posted a 5.40 ERA and 3:3 K:BB through five innings before spring training was suspended.

The right-hander headed into spring looking to crack a big-league roster for the first time, but Finnegan was underwhelming in Grapefruit League action. He put up strong numbers in the high minors in 2019, however, and the 28-year-old remains in the mix for one of the final spots in the bullpen when MLB resumes play.

Suero posted a 0.00 ERA but shaky 4:4 K:BB through six spring innings.

On the bright side, the right-hander allowed only one hit in Grapefruit League action before MLB was put on pause. Suero was expected to fill a middle-relief role to begin the season following the acquisition of Will Harris, but his improving K-rate and 3.06 FIP in 2019 suggest he could handle high-leverage work if called upon.