2 Reds players who've played their way onto Opening Day roster, 2 who played their way off

Spring training is slowly winding down. With less than two weeks before Opening Day, Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona and his coaching staff are going to have some decisions to contemplate in the coming days.

The Reds have already made several roster cuts this spring, and for all intents and purposes, a large majority of the Opening Day roster is all but set. However, there are a couple spots up for grabs, and how players perform during Cactus League could be one of the few measuring sticks Francona and Co. use to make their final decisions.

Which two players have excelled during camp and played their way onto the Reds Opening Day roster, and who's lack of performance may see them miss out on a chance to suit up on March 27th?

2 Reds players who've played their way onto the Opening Day roster

Blake Dunn, Reds outfielder

No player in Reds camp has benefited more from Spencer Steer's absence than Dunn. With Steer sidelined due a shoulder injury, Dunn's right-handed bat may well find its way onto the Reds Opening Day roster.

TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, and Austin Hays are all locks to break camp with the big league club, and with no minor-league options remaining, it's a good bet that Stuart Fairchild will be on the Opening Day roster as well. But without Steer, the Reds may look to Dunn to be their right-handed bench bat to open the year. Dunn has hit well this spring, has the type of speed to be a threat on the base paths, and can play all three outfield spots.

Lenny Torres Jr., Reds pitcher

The toughest decision Francona will make this spring will involve final cuts for the Reds bullpen. Five (and maybe six) spots are set in stone, but there's room for one or two non-roster invitees to make the Reds Opening Day roster.

It may come down to a two-way battle between two former Cleveland Guardians pitchers. Torres has been terrific this spring, but fellow right-hander Ian Gibaut has a proven track record. There's a chance that both make the Reds Opening Day roster, but that might require a little outside-the-box maneuvering (more on that later).

2 Reds players who've played their way off the Opening Day roster

Will Benson, Reds outfielder

Benson needed an outstanding spring to break camp with the Reds. While the former first-round pick showed up in tremendous shape, there's still a gigantic hole in his swing. Benson's power has been on full display during Cactus League play, but he's also struck out nine times in 20 at-bats.

The Reds already have both Friedl and Fraley who bat from the left side, and with Jeimer Candelario and Gavin Lux able to fill multiple positions, Cincy will have plenty of left-handed bats in the lineup. Benson hasn't done enough this spring, and should start the year in Triple-A Louisville.

Sam Moll, Reds pitcher

Moll has fallen on hard times this spring. The left-hander has been knocked around a lot, and one has to wonder if there's a lingering injury at play. Entering play on Thursday, Moll has allowed seven runs on eight hits to go along with a hit batsman and a wild pitch. Moll also has just three punch outs in Cactus League play.

Moll has minor-league options remaining. If it's assumed that Alexis Díaz, Brent Suter, Emilio Pagán, Tony Santillan, Taylor Rogers, and Scott Barlow are locks to be part of the Reds bullpen, Cincinnati could choose to option Moll, Carson Spiers, and Graham Ashcraft (if he's not in the starting rotation) to Triple-A. Doing so would open the door for the aforementioned duo of Torres and Gibaut to be part of the Reds Opening Day roster.

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