Reds Opening Day roster bubble projections: Last 4 in, First 4 out

Reds Opening Day roster bubble projections: Last 4 in

Chad Pinder (IF/OF): After optioning Stuart Fairchild to Triple-A, the Cincinnati Reds are short on right-handed outfield bats. Absent adding Chad Pinder to the 40-man roster, WIl Myers is the only right-handed option David Bell has.

Pinder has been penciled in as the Reds top utility player throughout the spring. With the Reds carrying three catchers into the regular season, Pinder's ability to play all over the diamond will be invaluable during the early-going.

Connor Overton (RHP): While the top three pitchers in the Cincinnati rotation are set in stone, the backend is far more murky. Luke Weaver's latest bout with a forearm injury and Luis Cessa's return from the World Baseball Classic only cloud this situation even more.

Connor Overton struggled to begin Cactus League play, but has looked better of late. Before bringing Brandon Williamson up to the bigs, perhaps the Reds should really evaluate what they have in Overton.

Derek Law (RHP): Hunter Strickland's name keeps coming up, and with good reason. David Bell continues to speak highly of him. After struggling mightily in 2022, it was curious that the Reds would even give the right-hander another chance.

But with so many injuries befalling the Cincinnati bullpen this spring, the Reds are likely to pluck a pitcher from the group of non-roster invitees brought to Goodyear. Maybe instead of Strickland, the Reds will do the right thing and add a pitcher who's actually excelled this spring.

Alex Young (LHP): The Reds have been searching all spring for left-handed running mate to pair with Reiver Sanmartin. Alex Young has had the best performance of almost any reliever during Cactus League play, let alone a lefty.

With Daniel Norris having been released earlier this week, it would now appear as though it's a two-horse race between Young and Bennett Sousa. Young has a 2.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts in eight innings pitched.