Cincinnati Reds: 3 transactions that must happen immediately

2. The Reds should designate Cam Bedrosian for assignment.

The Cincinnati Reds signed Cam Bedrosian to a minor-league contract during the offseason and added the right-hander to their Opening Day roster prior to the start of the season. Bedrosian, who struck out 16 batters over 8.2 innings during Cactus League play has six Ks over 4.2 innings this season, but has also walked five batters.

Reds fans know that walks will haunt, and while it’s a small sample size, Bedrosian’s 9.64 BB/9 and 18.5% walk-rate are not helping his case to remain with the team. Those numbers are in sharp contrast to Bedrosian’s career 3.86 BB/9 and 10.0% walk-rate.

During the eighth inning of last night’s loss to the Giants, Bedrosian racked up two punch outs, but also gave two San Francisco batters a free pass. Bedrosian had similar results two days ago in the desert while facing the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It’s still very early, and having a dependable veteran presence in the bullpen can help calm the nerves of the younger relievers like Cionel Pérez and Carson Fulmer. The Reds have Heath Hembree on their taxi squad. The right-hander posted a 1.23 ERA during spring training while playing for both the Reds and the Cleveland Indians.

Cincinnati also has other options at the alternate site, including Brandon Finnegan, Riley O’Brien, and Ryan Hendrix. While Cam Bedrosian has posted a 22.2% strikeout-rate over the first two weeks of the 2021 season, those base on balls can be costly. If Bedrosian goes unclaimed, the former Los Angeles Angels reliever could find a home at the Reds’ alternate site in Louisville.