Simple roster move can help Reds replace injured Reiver Sanmartin

According to Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Reiver Sanmartin expects to land on the 15-IL following his exit from the game on Sunday.

The Cincinnati Reds reliever left the mound after a visit from the trainer and was said to be experiencing pain in his left elbow. Let's hope that this is nothing major and taking some time off will help Sanmartin to recover.

Last year's rookie has pitched well in spurts, owning a 54.3-percent ground ball rate. However, that unsightly ERA (7.07) and troublesome walk-rate (14.3-percent) are certainly cause for concern. Thankfully, the Reds can replace Sanmartin with one simple move and it won't even require a transaction.

Simple roster move can help Reds replace injured Reiver Sanmartin.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell has already announced that his team will be going to a four-man rotation for about a week due to the off days sandwiched around this past weekend's series with the Chicago White Sox.

It's anyone's guess who'll eventually join the quartet of Luke Weaver, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, and Nick Lodolo, but it won't be Luis Cessa. Bell announced last week that Cessa will be moving back to the bullpen.

This move, which has already happened (after throwing one inning on Sunday), helps to clear the way for whichever starting pitcher the Reds plan to elevate later this week. Weaver, Greene, and Lodolo are slated to go on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday respectively with Ashcraft likely to be trotted back out on Friday in Miami.

If that holds true, the Cincinnati Reds will then need a new starter on Saturday at LoanDepot Field in South Beach. A few options are Levi Stoudt, Brandon Williamson, and Kevin Herget - all of whom are on the 40-man roster. Ben Lively and Andrew Abbott are also options, but a corresponding roster move would need to be made.

Unless Monday's reevaluation of Reiver Sanmartin's injury suggests a season-ending injury, Reds fans should look see to Stoudt, Williamson, or Herget on the bump later this week. If Sanmartin sees the southpaw land on the 60-day IL, there's a chance that Lively or Abbott will get the nod.

Regardless of who starts later this week, the Cincinnati bullpen already has their replacement in Luis Cessa. After struggling to find his footing in the Reds rotation this season, Cessa will return to his bullpen roots and join Buck Farmer, Ian Gibaut, Alexis Diaz, Lucas Sims, Casey Legumina, Alex Young, and Derek Law.