Cincinnati Reds: Kevin Gausman looking to earn spot in 2020 rotation

The Cincinnati Reds adjusted the their starting rotation on Sunday night. Kevin Gausman will now start Monday’s game at Wrigley Field.

Sonny Gray will no longer take the hill for the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night against the Chicago Cubs. His start has been bumped to Tuesday. Kevin Gausman, whom the Reds acquired off waivers from the Atlanta Braves, will now get his first start with his new team. Gausman had previously started 16 games for the Braves this season.

This move shouldn’t come as a big surprise to anyone, as the Reds made a similar decision with Lucas Sims. David Bell and the coaching staff are seeing what they’ve got in terms in of next year’s rotation. With the postseason out of reach, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Gausman earn one more start between now and the end of the season.

Next year’s rotation is all but set. You can sit back and argue all day about who the Reds ace is, but regardless, Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo will be taking the ball every fifth day. Thankfully, Trevor Bauer appears to be returning to form and will be another anchor in next year’s rotation.

Anthony DeSclafani was a big question mark heading into the 2019 season, but a healthy Disco has solidified his spot heading into next season and the Reds just need one more arm to fill out the 2020 rotation. Gausman could be that guy.

Kevin Gausman had a horrific season with the Atlanta Braves. Going 3-7 with a 6.19 ERA in 80 innings of work, Gausman was expendable. The Reds brought him onboard and placed the 28-year-old in the bullpen where he hadn’t seen action since 2015. In 11 appearances, Gausman is 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA, but a 2.83 FIP.

Gausman has been impressive in spots for the Reds this season. He threw an immaculate inning back in August when facing the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander was just the sixth player in Reds history to accomplish that feat.

With the aforementioned Sims and also Tyler Mahle in the hunt for the final spot in the 2020 Cincinnati Reds rotation, tonight’s game is a big one for Gausman. A solid outing could gain him another start before the season ends, and while it may not inspire the Reds to enter arbitration with the former first-round pick, the front office could still bring him back.

Gausman is arbitration eligible for the final time this offseason and will see a bump in pay from the $9.35M he’s making this season. The Reds would be taking a bit of a gamble if they went to arbitration, but if he’s non-tendered, the Reds stand a chance to lose him all together. Tonight’s game is a big one for Gausman and one the front office will be keeping a close eye on.