Projecting the Cincinnati Reds 2023 Opening Day roster 3.0

Projecting the Cincinnati Reds 2023 Opening Day roster: Bullpen (8)

Alexis Diaz, Lucas Sims, Reiver Sanmartin, Buck Farmer, Hunter Strickland, Ian Gibaut, Luis Cessa, Alex Young

Someway, somehow, Hunter Strickland will find his way onto the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster. Strickland seems to have nine lives and I'd honestly be more surprised if he was part of the last round of roster cuts than if he actually made the roster.

Alexis Diaz has emerged from the World Baseball Classic unscathed. The same cannot be said for his brother, Edwin. The New York Mets closer suffered what's likely to be a season-ending injury during Puerto Rico's post-win celebration over Columbia in the WBC.

Lucas Sims has had a rough spring, but after undergoing back surgery last year, fans should expect to see a little rust from the right-hander. Buck Farmer will be part of the Reds bullpen to begin the season. The former Detroit Tigers reliever was lights-out over the second-half of the 2022 season.

Reiver Sanmartin will be likely be joined by another left-hander in the bullpen. Alex Young has pitched well enough to earn that spot this spring, but will need to be added to the 40-man roster.

Ian Gibaut is out of minor-league options, so expect the Reds to place him on the Opening Day roster as well. Finally, Luis Cessa's absence from spring training will likely cost him a spot in the Reds starting rotation. Look for Cessa to begin the season in the Cincinnati bullpen.

The biggest omissions are Connor Overton and Fernando Cruz. While both could be on the Reds Opening Day roster, look for the two pitchers to instead be optioned to Triple-A to begin the season.

I'm not suggesting this is what should happen, but with Hunter Strickland and Chase Anderson taking up two roster spots, the Reds will have to send two pitchers down to the minors.