Predicting the Reds 40-man roster moves prior to Opening Day

Reds 40-man roster predictions: Joel Kuhnel DFA'd, Alex Young added

Now we're starting to enter unexpected territory. It's quite possible that Joel Kuhnel survives the last round of Reds roster cuts and remains with the club for Opening Day. But of all the players on that roster bubble, Kuhnel feels like the player most in jeopardy of losing his spot.

Yes, Kuhnel has minor-league options remaining, so Cincinnati could simply option the right-hander to Triple-A Louisville rather than desigante him for assignment. Or, for that matter, the Reds could choose to keep Kuhnel on the active roster. A 2.79 ERA in nine games this spring is nothing to sneeze at.

But the Reds have been effusive in their desire to add a left-handed reliever to join Reiver Sanmartin in the bullpen this season. After letting Daniel Norris go earlier this spring, non-roster invitee Alex Young is one of two left-handed options remaining.

The other is Bennett Sousa whom the Reds acquired off waivers from the Chicago White Sox earlier this spring. Sousa has six punch outs in seven games and an ERA of just 2.84. Sousa has issued just one walk but has allowed nine hits.

The Cincinnati Reds could just as easily opt to DFA Sousa in order to bring Young aboard. But Sousa would give Cincinnati an additional left-handed option in the event of an injury to Young or Sanmartin. With Luke Weaver, Lucas Sims, and Tony Santillan working their way back anyway, Joel Kuhnel's spot in the Reds bullpen is very much in jeopardy.