Reds' roster move clears the way for Frankie Montas, leaves fans hungry for more

The Cincinnati Reds are off on Monday, but that didn't stop the front office from making a move. The team optioned left-handed reliever to Triple-A Louisville, but did not make a corresponding move. Why not? Because that spot is reserved for Frankie Montas.

The Reds Opening Day starter has been sidelined for the past two weeks after catching a comebacker off his forearm. Montas was forced to leave his last start prematurely and was diagnosed with a forearm contusion.

But the right-hander is ready and raring to go. Montas is scheduled to take the ball from manager David Bell on Tuesday night when the reigning National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks arrive at Great American Ball Park for a three-game series. While having Montas back in the starting rotation is definitely a shot in the arm, it's far from the only roster move Reds fans are expecting.

Reds' roster move clears the way for Frankie Montas, leaves fans hungry for more

Reds fans have been embarrassed over the past week, and their team's most recent three-game sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles was the biggest kick in the teeth to date. Cincinnati went just 2-4 on their six-game trip and are now just 2-8 over their last 10 games.

Getting Montas back will help to bolster the Reds' rotation. Nick Martinez has grabbed a pair of starts in Montas' absence, but allowed eight runs on 17 base hits and only struck out six batters over 11 innings of work.

But it's been the Reds' anemic offense that has contributed the team's woes of late. The Reds managed just two runs over their three games against the O's this past weekend, and the team has collectively entered a severe slump.

There's a chance that TJ Friedl returns to the Reds lineup on Tuesday. The Reds' centerfielder has been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville for the past week. Friedl broke his wrist during spring training and was left off the Reds Opening Day roster.

If Friedl is reinstated from the injured list, Reds fans can bet that one of either Bubba Thompson or Nick Martini will be optioned to Triple-A. Moll was the first domino to fall, but won't be the last. The Cincinnati faithful are growing impatient, and Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall will need to make some moves to help re-energize this team.

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