The Reds have halted the rehab of right-hander Tony Santillan, as noted by The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosencrans. Santillan was limited to just 19 2/3 innings of work in 2022 due to low back pain, and was diagnosed with a Pars stress fracture in his low back this spring that has kept him out of action ever since. He appeared to be on the verge of returning to big league action, as he had begun a rehab assignment in Triple-A recently, but Santillan is now dealing with discomfort in his right knee that will keep him out of action for longer, according to Rosencrans.
Santillan struggled to a 5.49 ERA during his injury-plagued 2022 season, but impressed in his 2021 rookie season with a 2.91 ERA (162 ERA+) in 43 1/3 innings, though it came with a concerning 4.62 FIP thanks to Santillan stranding an unsustainable 90% of baserunners, though he did post an impressive 29.5% strikeout rate that season. When healthy, Santillan could join the likes of Alex Diaz and Fernando Cruz in covering late-inning duties for the Reds.
First baseman Joey Votto is also halting his rehab process, per a club announcement. Votto returned to Cincinnati and spoke with reporters today, with Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer noting that Votto has not suffered any setbacks and MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relaying that the first baseman remains optimistic about returning to big league action in the near future, though he isn’t ready to do so yet. As Nightengale notes, Votto could begin another rehab assignment in five days if he’s ready to do so.
Votto underwent surgery on his rotator cuff and bicep last season after struggling to a slash line of just .205/.319/.370 in 91 games last year, the worst performance of his future Hall of Fame career. Following his surgery, Votto took things slowly this spring, and has continued to work his way back at a careful pace as he has repeatedly expressed a desire to not return to the club until he’s fully healthy and ready to return. The Reds have given their veteran slugger the latitude to guide his own rehab process, including leaving the decision about whether he would start the season on the Opening Day roster up to him.
In more positive injury news, reliever Lucas Sims is scheduled to pitch for a second day in a row at Triple-A today, according to Nightengale, with a return to the big leagues later this week a possibility if all goes well. A first round pick by the Braves in the 2012 draft, Sims was part of the return for the trade that sent Adam Duvall from Cincinnati to Atlanta at the 2018 trade deadline. Since then, Sims has been a bullpen regular for the Reds, posting a 4.44 ERA (107 ERA+) and 3.87 FIP in 127 2/3 innings of work with the club. Sims pitched just 6 2/3 innings last year before being placed on the IL with lower back spasms last May, an issue he’s dealt with ever since. Fortunately, it appears Sims is primed to return to big league action and join a bullpen that currently features the likes of Derek Law and Buck Farmer covering the middle innings.
I hear the Reds want Jasson Dominguez now? I guess that doesn’t matter anymore, since he’s not getting traded.
I heard the Yankees wanted Luis Castillo but that doesn’t matter anymore because he’s already been traded.
I hear Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar can be had for cheap!
Reds need a #4 and 5 starter bad cessa and Overton are bad weaver almost a 5 Era for carrer so that’s are hope
I said this all offseason and people here poo pooed me. Just as I said lack of bullpen will keep the three good young starters from reaching their potential.
Old catchers know a few things. I’m sure Crash Davis would agree.
No the hope is that Levi Stoudt and Brandon Williamson pitch well enough at AAA to make the jump to the big league club. Overton, Weaver, and Cessa are all place holders
Agree but the kids aren’t looking ready yet. Abbott great start but at AA. Most likely see Chase Anderson called up to get a few starts for Cessa while waiting. Weaver already replacing Overton. Anything under a double digit ERA would be an improvement.
If you saw spring training, you would know both are at least a year away. Stoudt maybe two.
That was not against all big league talent either.
I’ll be glad when Votto is done and gone. Tired of hearing about ALLLLLLLL his injuries and he can’t play or he’s taking his time or whatever it might be with him. This has been going on several years and enough is enough. Of course he’s sticking around because he has a contract as most would (he could walk away and leave the money.) Now 20 of you are gonna say all kinds of nonsense and how I make no sense but I’ll be glad when it’s over.
Anyone who thought after those surgeries he would be in big league games before May was fooling themselves.
I wiuld say Moose’s is a bigger waste. Even Castellanos considering he opted out.
Big money brings big jealousy and unrealistic expectations a lot of times from fans, especially when it is a small market team paying it. Large market teams can eat them and no one cares.
Folks in Detroit say the same thing also and I remember them in Minnesota saying the same a few years ago about Mauer.
You might be more upset about the 82 million payroll as the bullpen gets lit up after the team fights to get a lead with lesser talent.
The bullpen is awful. Hopefully Santillan and Sims stabilize it when return.