3 options the Reds have to make room for Donovan Solano on the 40-man roster

The Cincinnati Reds will have a decision to make before activating Donovan Solano this week. Which player, currently on the Reds' 40-man roster, will be removed in order to make room for Solano?

On Sunday, the Reds optioned TJ Friedl to Triple-A and placed Alexis Díaz on the 15-day Injured List. Cincinnati recalled Dauri Moreta from the Louisville Bats, but played short-handed on Sunday with the knowledge that they'd activate Solano from the 60-day IL on either Monday or Tuesday.

So, while there's currently an opening on the Cincinnati Reds 26-man roster, the team will have to make a corresponding move on the 40-man roster in order to activate Solano. What are the Reds options?

1. Reds place Vladimir Gutierrez on 60-day IL to make room for Donovan Solano.

So much of what the Cincinnati Reds do will depend on the health of their players. As of right now, the Reds have 15 players on the Injured List. Eight of those players, including Daniel Duarte, Tejay Antone, and Jake Fraley, are on the 60-day IL.

Players who are on the 60-day IL do not count against a team's 40-man roster. Could Vladimir Gutierrez, who is currently on the 15-day IL with right forearm soreness, be transferred to the 60-day IL?

It's certainly a possibility. Gutierrez was diagnosed with a Grade 1 UCL sprain at the beginning of June after the second of his two relief appearances this season. Originally part of the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation, Gutierrez's struggles necessitated a move to the bullpen.

Vladimir Gutierrez has been downright awful this season. The right-hander has a 7.61 ERA and nearly as many walks (24) as strikeouts (29). Gutierrez could easily be placed on the 60-day IL in order to give the Cuban more time to recover from his injury and more time to fix what's gone wrong this season. At this time, the Reds have no reason to rush Gutierrez back into action.

2. Reds place Aristides Aquino on 60-day IL to make room for Donovan Solano.

Another avenue the Cincinnati Reds could take would be to transfer outfielder Aristides Aquino to the 60-day IL. The Punisher, who played well upon his return to Triple-A Louisville after being designated for assignment, showed little improvement once he was recalled to the big leagues back in May.

Aquino slid awkwardly into home plate last Sunday and was placed on the 10-day IL with what was initially ruled as a calf sprain. According to MLB.com, an MRI revealed that Aquino actually suffered high ankle sprain.

Aquino seems to have nine lives, as the 28-year-old's injury probably couldn't have come at a better time for him in terms of maintaining his roster spot. Aquino went on the shelf just days before the Reds activated Max Schrock from the 60-day IL. Had Aquino been part of the active roster, he might well have been designated for assignment for a second time this season.

Aristides Aquino still holds a level of intrigue for the Cincinnati Reds coaching staff. While he may have worn out his welcome with the fanbase, those decision-makers in the front office still seem to laud Aquino's skillset. Shifting The Punisher to the 60-day IL would certainly be an option to get Donovan Solano onto the 40-man roster.