Reds bullpen gets much-needed boost with Nick Martinez moving into starting rotation

Casey Legumina gave the Cincinnati Reds exactly what they needed on Monday night. After the Reds bullpen logged 8.1 innings of work in relief of the injured Frankie Montas, Cincinnati needed some reinforcements to help shoulder the load against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Legumina came in to relieve Reds starter Hunter Greene who gave manager David Bell seven solid innings. The Reds' bats, however, were held in check last night as Cincinnati's offense was able to muster to just two hits all night.

But Legumina will be headed back to Louisville. On Tuesday, the Reds activated reliever Sam Moll from the injured list and sent Legumina back to Triple-A. Moll got a late-start during spring training and had been working his way back over the last few weeks.

Reds activate Sam Moll, Nick Martinez moving into starting rotation

Moll was Cincinnati's lone trade deadline acquisition last summer. The Reds sent pitching prospect Joe Boyle to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for the left-handed reliever. Moll was fantastic last season, going 2-0 with 22 punch outs in 24.2 innings of work. Moll logged 7.1 innings on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville and allowed six runs on 10 hits while striking out six.

With Montas out of action for the next two weeks and Moll back in the Reds bullpen, Nick Martinez will return to Cincinnati's starting rotation. Andrew Abbott will take the mound on Tuesday night and Nick Lodolo is getting the ball for his third start of the season on Wednesday. Martinez will work the series finale against the Phillies on Thursday afternoon.

Montas is only expected to miss two starts, meaning he'll likely be back on or around May 7th. The Reds will then have to make a decision. Will Martinez remain in the rotation or head back to the bullpen? There are just two relievers on the roster with minor league options remaining, so how these pitchers perform in the coming weeks could have a dramatic effect on both the bullpen and the rotation.

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