Look for Reds pitcher Luis Castillo to return vs. this division rival

The Cincinnati Reds currently have 13 players on the Injured List. It sounds like reliever Lucas Sims will be back on Friday and fellow pitcher Luis Castillo won't be too far behind. Castillo is slated to make a rehab start for the Dayton Dragons on Sunday.

Castillo pitched a simulated game in San Diego on Tuesday, tossing 30 pitches over "two innings". The right-hander is expected to throw about 50 pitches on Sunday at Day Air Ballpark versus the Western Michigan Whitecaps.

Castillo would likely follow that up with another rehab start, perhaps on Friday, April 29th. The Reds could choose to send Castillo to the Louisville Bats to face tougher competition in Triple-A. The Bats play the Columbus Clippers next Friday or Castillo could stick with the Dragons and toe the rubber agains the Fort Wayne Tincaps next week.

Look for Luis Castillo to return in Reds upcoming series vs. Brewers.

If Luis Castillo is able to ramp up to about 70 pitches or so in two rehab outings, it would set up well for the Cincinnati Reds' ace to return to the field versus the Milwaukee Brewers on May 4th in the Cream City.

If David Bell sticks with his current rotation, it would seem that Castillo might replace Reiver Sanmartin in the starting rotation; something that has seemed like a forgone conclusion for some time.

The possibility exists for Castillo to replace Vladimir Gutierrez as well. The Reds right-hander has struggled with his command early and often this season and it may behoove Cincinnati to send the Cuban back to Triple-A in order to sharpen his skillset.

Reds Country will be thrilled to have Luis Castillo back in the starting rotation. While it's been exciting to watch the young guns like Sanmartin, Hunter Greene, and Nick Lodolo get their feet wet, the team needs the veteran stability of a player like Castillo back in the rotation.