3 Reds players who will become roster casualties on MLB cut-down day

The Cincinnati Reds have already made their first-round of cuts. Left-hander Andrew Abbott, infielder Alex McGarry, and outfielder Allen Cerda were among those reassigned to minor-league camp this past week.

The Reds spring training roster now stands at 61 and Opening Day is officially three weeks away. More cuts will be coming soon, and a few of those are likely to involve players on the Reds 40-man roster.

Every fringe player on the Reds roster will be fearful of seeing a red tag hanging in their locker over the next few weeks, but these three will become roster casualties on MLB cut-down day.

1. Reds RHP Joel Kuhnel will become a roster casualty on cut-down day.

Joel Kuhnel has been through this process before, and it's looking like the 28-year-old will have to endure it once again. After a suffering a shoulder injury in 2020, Kuhnel was designated for assignment. He then re-signed with the club in 2021 and had his contract selected last season.

Kuhnel had moderate success with the Reds last season, and if nothing else, was at least available when his number was called. Still, the right-hander posted a 2-3 record with an ERA 6.36 in 58 innings of work.

The fact of the matter is that Cincinnati now has better pitchers coming up through the farm system who will need a spot on the 40-man roster. While Kuhnel has minor-league options remaining, he hasn't played well enough for any other team to go out of their way to pick him up off waivers if he's DFA'd once again.

Joel Kuhnel is not a pitcher and he may very well find a spot in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen at some point during the season due to injury, but he'll be among the very first players to lose his roster spot on cut-down day.

3. Reds RHP Connor Overton will become a roster casualty on cut-down day.

This one may surprise some people, but don't be shocked if Connor Overton is not part of the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster come cut-down day. Overton was not part of the Reds 40-man roster last season, but had success when called upon after a rash of injuries befell the Cincinnati starting rotation.

Overton got the call after Luis Castillo, Mike Minor, and Nick Lodolo were all sidelined with injury in 2022. Overton showed grit in his first four starts of last season and was also able to locate his pitches consistently. Overton went 1-0 with a 1.82 ERA in his first four starts.

A back injury then landed Overton on the 60-day IL and the right-hander did not return until the end of September. After missing so much time, the Reds were unable to stretch Overton out in order to get him back into the starting rotation and instead opted to use him as a reliever twice near the end of the season.

Entering spring training, Overton was thought to be in line for one of the two remaining spots in the Cincinnati Reds rotation. Overton has struggled early and there is enough competition among pitchers like Luis Cessa, Luke Weaver, and top pitching prospect Brandon Williamson to surmise that Overton may be the odd man out.

If Connor Overton doesn't break camp as part of the starting rotation, David Bell may opt for veterans like Hunter Strickland and Chase Anderson over last year's rookie. Overton does have minor league options remaining, but will the team use a 40-man roster spot on a 29-year-old pitcher who's shown to be little more than a fringe major leaguer throughout his career as a professional?