Hunter Greene should replace this pitcher once he returns from the IL

Cincinnati Reds fans may not have had much to cheer about recently, but at least Hunter Greene is slated to return from the injured list on Saturday. The rookie has been on the IL since August.

Greene began a rehab assignment earlier this month and the flamethrower is ready to return to Cincinnati's starting rotation for one of the Reds' two games in St. Louis on Saturday. Mike Minor will pitch in the other game of the doubleheader.

But, in order for Greene to return to the roster, the Reds will need to make room. It does not necessarily have to be a 40-man roster move, as Greene was only on the 15-day IL.

Reds should option Joel Kuhnel to make room for Hunter Greene.

Joel Kuhnel has been with the Cincinnati Reds for quite some time this season. The right-hander was a non-roster invitee to spring training, had his contract selected from Triple-A Louisville in early-May, and outside of a brief stay on the restricted list, has been part of the Reds bullpen ever since.

Kuhnel has shown flashes throughout the entire season, but the right-hander's latest stretch has not been a good one and the Reds should option Kuhnel to Triple-A for the remainder of the season.

Over his last seven appearances, Kuhnel has allowed seven runs on eight hits over seven innings of work. The hard-throwing right-hander has struck out 11 while only walking two batters, but has surrendered two round trippers as well.

Chase Anderson, who started on Friday night for the Cincinnati Reds, is another option to be removed from the 40-man roster. This, however. would require the team to designate Anderson for assignment, and it seems more likely that he'll be moved to the bullpen upon Graham Ashcraft's return to the starting rotation.

The Reds also have the problem of Justin Dunn hitting the IL with a shoulder injury, so Ashcraft could always replace Dunn in the rotation and Anderson could remain a starter along with Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Luis Cessa.