3 Reds who made the Opening Day roster but shouldn't have a long leash

3. Reds RHP Luis Cessa shouldn't have a long leash.

Luis Cessa, more than both Jose Barrero and Connor Overton, should be given a bit more slack. And it's not so much that Cessa shouldn't have a long leash in terms of remaining on the team, just remaining in the rotation.

Cessa received an open audition late last season to show that he could be a starter again. Cessa never materialized in that role with the New York Yankees, and until last August, he'd always been a reliever since joining the Reds organization in 2021.

But despite leaving for the World Baseball Classic and appearing in just one game for Team Mexico, David Bell kept Cessa's seat warm. The 30-year-old was named one of the Reds five starters and is slated to take the mound on Tuesday night versus the Chicago Cubs.

With Levi Stoudt and Brandon Williamson beginning the season at Triple-A, Cessa should have a short leash in 2023. If Cessa struggles and one of the young prospects is lighting it up in Louisville, the Reds should push Cessa to bullpen and select the young hurlers to the 26-man roster.

Luis Cessa is a free agent at the end of the season, and it seems unlikely that he'll remain with the Cincinnati Reds beyond this season. There's a chance that Cessa could be on the trade block come July.

Furthermore, the Reds relief corps is very much a work in progress and could use a veteran like Cessa to help stabilize things. If Cincinnati is struggling to maintain leads late in games, the best path may be to move Cessa from the starting rotation to the bullpen.