3 pitchers who could help fortify the Reds exhausted bullpen

2. Daniel Duarte could help fortify the Reds exhausted bullpen

Daniel Duarte has had an unconventional start to his major league career. The right-hander was added to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster prior to the 2022 season after putting up solid numbers in the minor leagues during 2021.

Unfortunately, an elbow injury sidelined the right-hander for almost all of his debut season with the Reds. Duarte appeared in just three games last season for Cincinnati before eventually landing on the 60-day IL.

Duarte was in camp this past spring, but failed to make the Opening Day roster. Instead, 26-year-old accepted an assignment to Triple-A Louisville and has been one of Pat Kelly's most reliable arms for the Bats.

Since the beginning of May, Duarte has seen action in eight games, hurling 8.2 innings two-run baseball. The hard-throwing Duarte owns a 1.04 ERA through those eight appearances out of the Louisville Bats bullpen and has struck out 10 of the 37 batters he's faced.

Daniel Duarte would need a spot on the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster, but he's performed better than Joel Kuhnel this season, The Reds could designate Kuhnel for assignment and option another reliever back to the minors in order to make room on the roster.