Cincinnati Reds: Three players in danger of being cut from 28-man roster

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MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Cody Reed #25 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Who will survive roster cuts when the Reds reduce the number of players to 28?

The Cincinnati Reds, and every other team throughout Major League Baseball, must reduce their active roster from 30 players to 28. The rosters were initially expanded to help provide depth in the event of injury. Which three players are in jeopardy of being cut when the Reds roster is reduced to just 28 players.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Player’s Association has informed its members that rosters will be set at 28 players effective Thursday and remain at the level until the end of the 2020 season. Initially, teams were to begin with a 30-man roster that was reduced to 28 after two weeks, and then 26 two weeks after that.

The bottomline is that the Reds will have to remove two players from their active roster before Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Indians. A good guess would be that the Reds would remove one position player and one pitcher, but with Wade Miley still on the injured list, Mike Moustakas tracking that way, and Tejay Antone starting last night, it’s anyone’s guess who it’ll be.

A handful of players, especially in the bullpen, have underperformed during the early-going of this 60-game season. With the starters showing an ability to pitch deep into games, perhaps David Bell looks to move on from a pair of relievers. The outfield also seems to have stabilized, so someone from that group could be on the chopping block as well.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 27: Brooks Raley #43 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Brooks Raley, Reds relief pitcher

Brooks Raley hadn’t played in the majors in some time. The 2013 season was the last time that Raley had seen action in the big leagues until he made an appearance in Cincinnati’s Opening Day win over the Detroit Tigers. Raley pitched one inning of scoreless baseball, striking out one batter. Since then, he’s been anything but spectacular.

Raley entered a game in relief of Tejay Antone last Monday against the Chicago Cubs. Raley went two innings, gave up three hits and one earned run while striking out four batters. That wasn’t a terrible showing, especially considering how awful the Reds bullpen has been over the first two weeks of the season.

But, Raley’s third outing left a lot to the imagination. The left-hander came in relief of the brilliant performance of Sonny Gray on July 29th, but was one of the biggest culprits in allowing the Cubs back into the game. Raley didn’t record a single out, allowed two hits, walked two batters, hit another and gave up three earned runs.

Raley hasn’t been the worst reliever in the Cincinnati bullpen, and the fact that he’s a lefty bodes well for the former sixth-round pick. It’s a good bet that at least one of the two players who’ll be taken off the roster will be a pitcher. Raley is in that group, but there are a lot of others who’ll be looked at as well.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 14: Matt Davidson #64 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Matt Davidson, Reds utility infielder

We haven’t seen much of Matt Davidson this season, and that’s not all entirely his fault. Davidson landed on the injured list after one game, as, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, he tested positive according to an expedited diagnostic test, but said he tested negative on all tests afterward. Davidson was cleared by Major League Baseball to return last Friday.

Any rhythm that the former Chicago White Sox third baseman had hoped to develop during the first week of the season was shattered, and Davidson’s had just one hit in eight at-bats. That single in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers did give Davidson his first and only RBI of the season.

Davidson offers a little bit of versatility with his ability to play corner infield positions. He also brings right-handed power to the lineup and would be a good replacement for Jesse Winker as the Reds DH when a left-handed pitcher is on the mound. Southpaws oftentimes give Winker trouble, and we’ve already seen David Bell turn to Davidson, Phillip Ervin and even Christian Colón in that scenario.

Matt Davidson was stopped in his tracks and held captive by MLB’s COVID-19 protocols. The league was just being overly cautious, which is understandable, but Davidson had been playing well during summer camp. There’s a chance Davidson survives and becomes part of the Reds 28-man roster, but he’s definitely on the short list of position players who could lose their spot.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 24: Travis Jankowski #31 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

3. Travis Jankowski, Reds outfielder

Aristides Aquino has already been sent down to the Reds alternate training site, and Travis Jankowski may be right behind him. A decent defender, Jankowski has done nothing to remain a part of the Cincinnati Reds roster going forward. Jankowski has just four plate appearances on the season and hasn’t had a single hit.

We all knew when Jankowski was selected to be among the 30 players to start the season that his role would be limited. But I didn’t think it’d be this limited, as the former San Diego Padres outfielder is little more than a pinch runner and defensive replacement. Jankowski’s appeared in just six games and didn’t swing the bat in three of those six affairs.

Jankowski has an option remaining, so moving the speedster to the alternate site would not require him to clear waivers. Josh VanMeter has minor-league options remaining as well, and though a versatile fielder, the left-handed slugger has yet to record a hit this season despite 17 plate appearances.

Christian Colón is another name to keep an eye on, but the veteran does not have an option remaining, and the former World Series hero seems to have emerged as a clubhouse leader and David Bell has used him in several different roles already this season.

Next. Pulling Mahle was the right move

The upcoming cuts will be difficult, as no player stands out. The injuries to Mike Moustakas and Wade Miley may have an immediate impact to who stays and who goes, and the Reds can always recall a certain player as this shortened-season moves along.

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