This former Cy Young Award-winner could replace injured Reds starter Ben Lively

It's gone from bad to worse for the Cincinnati Reds. On Wednesday, it was revealed that Ben Lively is suffering from a right pectoral strain and was placed on the 15-day IL.

For the time being, Daniel Duarte was recalled, but when Lively's spot in the rotation comes up, the Reds will need another pitcher.

While Cincinnati could turn to Brett Kennedy or Levi Stoudt, there's a former Cy Young Award-winner who could be atop the Reds' wishlist.

Former Cy Young Award-winner Dallas Keuchel could replace injured Reds pitcher Ben Lively

Dallas Keuchel, a pitcher the Cincinnati Reds pursued in free agency before the left-hander signed a multi-year deal with the Chicago White Sox, is available after opting out of his minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins.

Keuchel made six starts for Triple-A St. Paul this season and looked pretty good. The southpaw posted a 1.13 ERA over 32 innings of work with 28 strikeouts and a dozen walks.

By no means is Dallas Keuchel the same pitcher he was when he won his Cy Young Award while pitching for the Houston Astros in 2015. That season, Keuchel went 20-8, threw over 230 innings, and posted league-best 1.017 WHIP.

Since that season, it's been a gradual downhill slide for the 35-year-old. Keuchel has yet to the take the mound in a major league game this season, and during his last two seasons, Keuchel went 11-18 with a 6.35 ERA while pitching for the White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Texas Rangers.

For those wanting to see Connor Phillips make his debut, it just doesn't seem likely at this point. While he leads the minors in strikeouts, Phillips has struggled with control since making the jump to Triple-A.

As mentioned earlier, Brett Kennedy could be an option. Levi Stoudt would be a pitcher to watch as well. But the Cincinnati Reds could make a rather unexpected move and ink Dallas Keuchel to a contract. There just aren't many great options at this point.