2 players on the 60-day IL the Reds should release this offseason and 1 they're excited to see return

The Cincinnati Reds have been ravaged by injuries this season. The team is without Joey Votto, Tyler Stephenson, and Lucas Sims; all of whom were expected to play a major role in the team's success during the 2022 season.

But the aforementioned players are only three of Cincinnati's 12 players that are currently on the 60-day IL. Outside of Daniel Duarte, and maybe Connor Overton, everyone on that list is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022 season.

Justin Wilson, who's a free agent after the season, has been out since April 27th. Duarte has seen a major league field since being placed on the IL on April 17th. Stephenson was shelved almost immediately after the All-Star break resulting in his second extended stat on the IL this season.

As was mentioned, Wilson is a free agent, and it's unlikely the left-handed reliever will return to Cincinnati next season. But which players, currently on the 60-day IL, should be released during the offseason? And, is there one player that the team and fans alike can't wait to return in 2023?

Reds catcher Aramis Garcia should be released this offseason.

The Cincinnati Reds currently have six catchers on the 40-man roster. Austin Romine, who's a free agent after the 2022 season concludes, and Chuckie Robinson are the only backstops who are currently active.

Mark Kolozsvary and Michael Papierski are at Triple-A Louisville and both Tyler Stephenson and Aramis Garcia are on the 60-day IL. With Stephenson all set to return as the everyday catcher in 2023, do the Reds really need to hang on to Garcia?

The former second-round pick shined during spring training and earned his way onto the Opening Day roster. But Garcia, who'll be 30 years old next season and entering his first year of arbitration eligibility, has only posted an OPS of .516 in 106 at-bats. Kolozsvary, in very limited playing this season, has an OPS of .688 and is two years younger.

The Cincinnati Reds may also look to add Daniel Vellojin to the 40-man roster in order to protect one of their top catching prospects from the Rule 5 Draft. Aramis Garcia just doesn't seem like a long-term fit with the Reds organization, and the club has plenty of in-house options that would provide Tyler Stephenson with a serviceable backup in 2023.