2 Reds relievers who have earned their roster spot, 1 still fighting for his

Every day it seems as though the Cincinnati Reds roster gets smaller and smaller. Earlier this week, the Reds released non-roster invitee Daniel Norris.

While you can begin to see the direction that the Reds are taking with the position players they'll be taking north, the pitching staff isn't as clear cut. More specifically, the bullpen.

While there's a battle going on for the final two spots in the Cincinnati rotation, the only player that has a spot in the bullpen locked up in Alexis Diaz. However, there are two relievers who've earned a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster and one who is still fighting for his.

Reds reliever Ian Gibaut has earned his roster spot.

There are several things working in Ian Gibaut's favor as final cuts are about to be made. First and foremost has been his performance this spring. While Gibaut did participate in the World Baseball Classic as a member of Team Great Britain, he did nothing to hurt his standing as a member of the Reds relief corps in 2023.

Gibaut was picked up off waivers from the Reds last season after spending time with the Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander posted a 4.50 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 36 innings of work.

This spring, Gibaut has eight punch outs in five innings pitched. Gibaut made just one appearance in the WBC, allowing two hits and one run in two innings while striking out two batters.

Ian Gibaut is also out of minor league options, meaning the Cincinnati Reds would have to hope that the Texas native passed through waivers if they were hoping to send him to the minor leagues. Several other players on the Reds pitching staff can be optioned to Triple-A and keeping Gibaut on the 40-man roster will allow them to maintain quality depth in their bullpen.