Reiver Sanmartin's season-ending injury leaves the Reds looking for left-hander at trade deadline

Cincinnati Reds reliever Reiver Sanmartin recently underwent UCL surgery, which will sideline him for the remainder of the 2023 season.

There was hope in Cincinnati that Sanmartin would be able to come back from the 60-day IL and help to bolster the Reds bullpen.

This is a disappointing turn of events for the 27-year-old southpaw, as he could've been an additional left-handed option coming out of Reds the bullpen. With Sanmartin done for the year, Cincinnati will need to add a left-handed reliever at the trade deadline.

Reiver Sanmartin's season-ending injury leaves the Reds looking for left-hander at trade deadline.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell has just one left-handed reliever in the entire bullpen. Alex Young has been spectacular to the tune of a 2.20 ERA in 48 appearances.

Young has seen reverse splits through most of the 2023 season, but he's recently fixed that, throwing to lefties just as effectively as righties. Right-handed hitters are slashing .231/.268/.397 against Young, while lefties are slashing a similar line of .238/.337/.350.

Even with Young's improvements against left-handed hitters, the Cincinnati Reds desperately need to add another southpaw to their bullpen. It's just not sustainable for the Reds to only carry one lefty if the team wants to make serious run at the postseason.

But there's good news. A few left-handed relievers are available at this year's trade deadline. Former Reds pitcher Brooks Raley could be a potential fit. Raley owns a 2.43 ERA while pitching for the New York Mets this season.

Another option could be Brent Suter of the Colorado Rockies. The lefty has appeared in 35 games and has an ERA below 3.00. Suter's OPS-against is nearly 300 points lower when pitching away from Coors Field.

The Cincinnati Reds have less than day remaining to add a left-handed reliever. Reds GM Nick Kral will need to work his magic as the trade deadline draws near.