How Frankie Montas' injury could shakeup the Reds' starting rotation and bullpen

The upcoming week could be a difficult one for Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell. After exiting Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels with a bruised forearm, it appears as thought Frankie Montas will miss his next scheduled start.

During the postgame press conference, Montas' arm was wrapped in a bandage. The Reds starter was struck by a 101 mph comebacker off the bat of Taylor Ward during the first inning. Montas was able to complete the 1-3 putout for the second out of the inning, but left the game with the training staff. Montas was replaced by Brent Suter. The Reds bullpen collectively went 8.1 innings and didn't allow a run.

Unfortunately, Bell may need more of the same from the Reds bullpen this week. If Montas is only going to miss one start, it's highly likely that Nick Martinez will take his turn in the rotation on Friday. But that would mean the Reds bullpen would be operating one man short during the upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies. However, the Reds schedule may necessitate a different strategy.

Frankie Montas' gruesome-looking could lead to Nick Martinez joining the Reds starting rotation

There is the possibility that the Reds could place Montas on the injured list. However, doing so would keep the right-hander out of action until early-May. Unlike position players, pitchers are placed on the IL are required to miss at least 15 days, not just 10. But, given that the Reds have two days off between now and the Reds' May 7th date with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Montas would effectively miss just two starts.

If Montas is placed on the 15-day IL, he would only miss Friday's start against the defending champion Texas Rangers and next Wednesday's day game at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres. While Montas' particular injury may not warrant a 15-day absence from the active roster, it's in the best interest of the team to make that move.

The bullpen threw 8.1 innings on Sunday, meaning that Suter, Martinez, and probably Emilio Pagán and Alexis Diaz are unavailable for Monday's game against the Phillies. That leaves the Reds with just four relievers for the series opener against the Phillies. Monday's starter, Hunter Greene, doesn't necessarily have the best track record when it comes to giving his manager six-plus innings of work.

Cincinnati's bullpen will need reinforcements. Whether it's Carson Spiers, Casey Legumina, or Lyon Richardson, somebody from Triple-A Louisville will need to be recalled after the Reds bullpen logged 15.1 innings of work over the past three days.

The Reds may prefer to a wait a day or two to see how Montas responds to treatment, but with those red-hot Phillies' bats coming to town, there's not much of a margin for error.

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