3 Reds players in danger of losing their 40-man roster spot by the end of the week

2. Joel Kuhnel could lose his spot on the Reds 40-man roster.

Joel Kuhnel has made it this far, but it may be the end of the road for the Cincinnati Reds reliever despite the fact he has minor-league options remaining. Kuhnel, just like Bennett Sousa, could be a roster casualty because of the influx of injuries.

Unless a player is placed on the 60-day Injured List, he remains part of the 40-man roster. Vladimir Gutierrez was already placed on the 60-day IL, but after adding Sousa, the Reds roster is still stuck at 40.

It sounds as if Tejay Antone and Justin Dunn will sidelined long enough that a 60-day designation will be appropriate, but the same cannot be said for Tony Santillan, Luke Weaver, Lucas Sims, and Nick Senzel.

That means the Reds have some difficult decisions to make, because in addition to those four injured players, Cincinnati also has Casey Legumina, Noelvi Marte, Elly De La Cruz, Michael Siani, Lyon Richardson, and Levi Stoudt occupying spots on the 40-man roster. The Reds have no intention of those six prospects opening the season in the major leagues.

Joel Kuhnel, who hasn't pitched poorly this spring, also hasn't pitched well enough to warrant inclusion on the Opening Day roster. It may just be unfortunate circumstances rather than poor performance, but Kuhnel could be pushed off the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster by the end of the week.