Tonight's Reds' starter Justin Dunn was once involved in a blockbuster trade with the Mets

Justin Dunn will make his Cincinnati Reds debut tonight versus the team that drafted him. The right-hander has not set foot on a major league mound since June of last year.

The Reds were not involved in the initial trade that sent New York Mets' former first-round pick Justin Dunn to the Seattle Mariners. Dunn, who was the Mets' first-round selection in 2016, was traded to the Seattle Mariners as part of a blockbuster trade in 2018.

Dunn, along with Jarred Kelenic, Geron Bautista, Anthony Swarzak, and former Reds outfield Jay Bruce were dealt to the Mariners in exchange for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. Cano was released by the Mets earlier this season despite his massive salary and Diaz, who's younger brother Alexis pitches for the Reds, is the best closer in baseball.

Reds starter Justin Dunn was once involved in a blockbuster trade with the Mets.

Reds fans will be eager to see what Justin Dunn is made of tonight. After all, the Boston College alum was part of the trade that sent favorites Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez to the Seattle Mariners earlier this season. Along with Dunn, the Cincinnati Reds acquired left fielder Jake Fraley and pitching prospect Brandon Williamson and Connor Phillips.

Dunn will begin his audition tonight to be part of Cincinnati's 2023 starting rotation. You have to figure that Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft will comprise 60% of next year's rotation. But the remaining two spots are up for grabs.

Dunn should get a long look over the next two months. With both Greene and Robert Dugger hitting the IL, there's a chance that the aforementioned Williamson will get his shot at nailing down a spot in the starting rotation for 2023 as well.

And let's not forget about rookie starter Connor Overton. The right-hander has been sidelined with a back injury, but Overton is expected to return in September. Let's hope we see a successful start from Justin Dunn this evening.