5 Reds players who won't be on the roster by May 1

5. Fernando Cruz will not be on the Reds roster by May 1st.

Okay, this is not an overreaction to Thursday's horrific performance from Fernando Cruz. While walking in two runs and allowing another to score on a wild pitch is not ideal, Cruz will bounce back.

But at least one of the Cincinnati Reds relievers will be optioned to Triple-A in the coming weeks in order to make room for Tony Santillan, Lucas Sims, or both. Those two right-handed relievers began the 2023 season on the IL.

Cruz is one of a handful of Reds relievers who has minor-league options remaining. Joel Kuhnel is in that category also, and depending on how well he performs, the 28-year-old could find his way back to the Derby City as well.

Derek Law, Ian Gibaut, and Buck Farmer do not have minor league options remaining, so don't look for any one of that trio to be sent packing within the first month of the season.

Fernando Cruz didn't get a few calls that tickled the bottom of the strike zone on Opening Day, but it's inexcusable to walk three batters in less than one inning of work. Cruz likes to keep the ball down in the zone, but if opposing batters are aware of that, they may wait for him to elevate his pitches.

Based on the way the Cincinnati Reds roster is currently constructed, one of either Cruz, Kuhnel, Alex Young, Alexis Diaz, or Reiver Sanmartin will be optioned once the relief corps is back to full-strength. Young and Sanmartin represent the only two lefties in the bullpen, and Diaz isn't going anywhere. So it comes down to Kuhnel and Cruz.