Reds could steal overlooked bullpen weapon after Angels' unexpected roster cut

The Cincinnati Reds have endured a couple of unwelcome injury setbacks over the past few weeks. Hunter Greene will miss the first several months of the 2026 season after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery, and now Nick Lodolo will reportedly miss at least two weeks after suffering a blister on his left index finger.

The Reds have reshuffled their starting rotation twice, and the ramifications for the bullpen could be significant. Cincinnati originally planned to open the upcoming season with a six starters on the Opening Day roster, but now needs another reliever to help balance out the pitching staff.

The Los Angeles Angels may have just gifted the Reds an opportunity to add a skilled left-hander to the roster, and it's a player they know quite well. The Angels designated Jayvien Sandridge for assignment on Tuesday, and the Reds could look to reunite with the southpaw before the start of the 2026 season.

Jayvien Sandridge could add versatility to the Reds bullpen

Sandridge signed with the Reds in 2021 and spent a few seasons in the team's minor-league system. He left after 2023 and has since been part of three different organizations. Most recently, Sandridge was part of the Angels' 40-man roster, but was DFA'd to make room for veteran left-hander Joey Lucchesi.

Sandridge has less than one inning of Major League experience under his belt. He debuted for the New York Yankees last season and allowed two runs over ⅔ inning before being optioned back to Triple-A the following day. The Yankees traded Sandridge to the Angels for cash considerations this past offseason.

Sandridge is a late-bloomer whose fastball sits in the mid-90s. His arsenal also includes a plus-slider and a splitter, and he's always been able to rack up strikeouts. Since 2021, he's compiled 319 punch outs over 210 innings of work. That's a strikeout rate of 33.5%.

Like so many relievers who've come before him, however, Sandridge has been unable to pair his innate ability to induce strikeouts with command and control of his pitches. His impressive K-rate is severely diminished by his untenable 17% walk rate. Since 2021, he's walked 162 batters and owns a 4.06 ERA and 4.08 FIP in the minors.

The Reds bullpen could be a revolving door at the beginning of the season

But Sandridge's ability to punch tickets isn't the only thing the Reds might find intruiging. The left-hander has minor-league options remaining — something that could be exceedingly valuable for Cincinnati at the beginning of the season. With Greene and Lodolo out, the Reds will likely have to shuttle a handful of relievers back and forth between Cincinnati and Louisville.

Among the group of relievers expected to make the Reds Opening Day roster, only Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips have minor-league options remaining. Both are considered important bullpen pieces, and it's unlikely that Cincinnati will want to move them between the major and minor leagues.

If, however, the Reds acquired Sandridge and DFA'd fellow lefty Sam Moll, Cincinnati would then add an extra reliever to the group of pitchers who can shuttled up and down I-71 this season. Kyle Nicolas, Zach Maxwell, Luis Mey, and Jose Franco all have minor-league options as well.

This would be a low-cost pickup for the Reds that would offer them versatility and flexibility while also adding a high-volume strikeout pitcher to the organization. Having seen Sandridge in the past, the coaching staff knows his upside all too well. Don't be surprised if Cincinnati takes a flier on the 27-year-old in order to bring some fluidity to the roster.