Justin Dunn will likely replace this pitcher when he returns to the Reds roster

Justin Dunn pitched three no-hit innings in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday night and is likely to return to the Cincinnati Reds roster prior to the team's three-game weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago.

Dunn had be placed on the IL due to shoulder soreness, and the Reds have moved forward very cautiously after a previous shoulder injury cost the New York native over a year of action in the major leagues.

Dunn is not scheduled, however, to be part of Cincinnati starting rotation. Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo, and Chase Anderson are slated to start the three games in Chicago and Hunter Greene, Luis Cessa, and Ashcraft will close out the season at Great American Ball Park.

Justin Dunn will likely replace this pitcher when he returns to the Reds roster.

But, with the addition of Justin Dunn back to roster comes the subtraction of another player. The Cincinnati Reds have a somewhat interesting decision, as only two relievers have minor league options remaining, and one of them is the only left-hander in the bullpen.

Reiver Sanmartin has turned a corner since being moved to the bullpen. As a starter, Sanmartin's ERA was a sky-high 19.85, but once the Colombian became a reliever he's owned 2.74. That, combined with that fact that Sanmartin is the only lefty, will keep him on the roster over the final week of the season.

But Joel Kuhnel has struggled of late. The right-hander has posted a 6.19 ERA over his last 15 appearances out of the bullpen. Kuhnel has 17 punch outs in 16 innings of work and only three walks, but he's also allowed opponents to hit .287 during that time and has surrendered three of his eight home runs since August 24th.

While the Cincinnati Reds could option Joel Kuhnel, the front office could also decide to designate Derek Law for assignment, but the right-hander had been very effective of late. However, Law did struggle in his last outing, allowing four runs on three hits in less than inning of work.