Reds: 3 players who could be sent down when Mike Moustakas returns

Mike Moustakas is likely to return to the Cincinnati Reds lineup tonight, and it couldn’t come a better time. His team has been reeling since the three-time All-Star was on the injured list with a viral illness, but with Moose back in the lineup, perhaps the Reds can get back on track.

Moustakas has been referred to by many players as the emotional leader of this team. That’s something you can’t measure, and it’ll be so good to see Moose back at the hot corner. That likely means that Kyle Farmer and Alex Blandino will no longer be in the starting lineup, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the two utility infielders will be optioned to the alternate site.

With Moustakas’ return imminent, a corresponding move must be made. Will it be a position player or a reliever? Is the front office likely to option one of their younger players to Triple-A Louisville, or might we be talking about an outright release? Let’s see which three players are the most at risk.

1. Alex Blandino, Reds infielder

I actually think Alex Blandino has done more than enough to stay with the big league club, but if David Bell prefers to roll with 14 pitchers and 12 position players for the time being, the former first-round pick is the most likely to find a ticket to Louisville. Last week, Cionel Perez and Max Schrock were optioned to the alternate site so that Cincinnati could call up two relievers.

Blandino has performed very well, but his standing with the team is a bit redundant. Both he and Kyle Farmer are right-handed hitting infielders who can play all over the diamond. With Bell’s recent willingness to move Nick Senzel to the infield dirt when necessary, perhaps Blandino become expendable.

To be perfectly honest, Blandino has outplayed Farmer during the first month of the season. Blandino is hitting .318/.464/.455 while Farmer is slashing .132/.267/.237. The question comes down to whether or not Bell can rely on Blandino at shortstop should Eugenio Suarez need a night off.

I tend to think that Alex Blandino will still be with the big league club come Tuesday night, but there’s a small possibility the Stanford alum finds his way onto the taxi squad. If Blandino is sent to the alternate site, he won’t be there for long.