Is Luis Cessa auditioning for a spot in the 2023 Cincinnati Reds starting rotation?

Luis Cessa is no stranger to starting. The right-hander, who was an opener for the Cincinnati Reds earlier this season against the Los Angeles Dodgers, will get the start on Monday versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

David Bell was noncommittal when he was asked whether or not this change in roles for Cessa was long-term or not, but obviously the right-hander hasn't built up to be a starter this season. Most likely Cessa will go two, maybe three innings on Monday before Bell turns the game over to the bullpen.

But Cessa has started games before. While with the New York Yankees organization, the hurler started 19 games from 2016-2018. Is this a sign of things to come for Cessa or will he return to the bullpen next season?

Don't expect Luis Cessa to stay in the Reds starting rotation.

Luis Cessa has experience as a starter, but this move seems to be about the short-term rather than the long haul. With Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle having been traded at the deadline, and a trio of rookies closing in on their innings-limit, moving Cessa into the rotation would appear to be more about limping to the finish line rather than opening the door for the 30-year-old to become a starter.

Connor Overton was thought to be ready to return in the next few weeks after suffering a back injury earlier this year, but Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that the right-hander suffered a setback in his rehab and his return to the Reds is up in the air.

Hunter Greene has also been sidelined for a few weeks with a shoulder injury, but the flamethrower is expected to return to the mound sooner rather than later. Greene threw a bullpen session on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

You have to figure that Greene, Nick Lodolo, and Graham Ashcraft will all be watched closely over the final few weeks of the season. If fatigue sets in on any of the three rookie, the Reds will likely shut them down and prepare for the 2023 season.

Luis Cessa has one year of team control remaining, and while the 2022 season has not gone as planned for the right-hander, it's very likely that his versatility finds him a spot somewhere on the Cincinnati Reds 2023 Opening Day roster. It would, however, be very surprising if that spot was in the starting rotation.