Brett Kennedy's impressive start will cost this Reds player his 40-man roster spot

On Tuesday, Brett Kennedy shocked the Cincinnati Reds fanbase when he delivered a mighty impressive performance on the mound and earned his first major league win since 2018.

The Reds pitching staff has been plagued by injuries, which has resulted players like Kennedy, Ben Lively, and even Andrew Abbott earning opportunities they normally would not have received if Cincinnati's roster was fully healthy.

What Reds fans have seen in recent weeks is a quick promotion for a player like Kennedy, only to be designated for assignment the next day. Kennedy, however, may have earned a spot on the 40-man roster. That's bad news for someone else.

Brett Kennedy's impressive start will cost Reds RHP Alan Busenitz his 40-man roster spot.

Brett Kennedy fired five solid innings, allowing four runs on five his while striking out three. Two of the earned runs scored after Kennedy left the game.

It was revealed that Ben Lively should return to the Cincinnati Reds rotation before the All-Star break, so while Kennedy may not earn another start, and at the very least, the right-hander could remain on the 40-man roster.

If Lively returns from the IL, and Kennedy is optioned back to Triple-A, Reds fans can rest assured that the 26 players on the active roster are all safe. While the Reds have several players currently on the IL, there are 11 in the minors.

Many of those who are part of the Reds 40-man roster and playing in the minor leagues are top-level prospects. Brett Kennedy is not going to take the place of players like Noelvi Marte or Lyon Richardson. But Alan Busenitz, whose contract was selected back in mid-May, could be the odd man out.

Busenitz is nearly 33 years old and has made just four appearances on the season for the Reds. With a -0.3 bWAR for his career and an ERA of 4.57, not many teams are likely to take a flier on Busenitz if he's DFA'd. If the right-hander clears waivers, he could be outrighted back to the Louisville Bats.

It seems unlikely that Brett Kennedy will be removed from the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster following Tuesday's performance. But before Ben Lively is activated from the IL, the club will have a decision to make. Unfortunately for Alan Busenitz, he may be out of job before the end of the week.