Back from Classic, Cessa vying for rotation spot

PHOENIX -- Reds rotation candidate Luis Cessa found himself in a bind during the World Baseball Classic. Cessa was realizing a dream to play for his native Mexico, but he wasn't getting used enough to be fully prepared for a spot in Cincinnati's starting five.

On Saturday, Cessa called manager David Bell and pitching coach Derek Johnson and told them he was returning to camp. He made the decision after Mexico defeated Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals on Friday, when he didn't get into the game behind starter Julio Urías on what would've been his normal day to work.

"I said I needed to be back because I need to pitch," Cessa said. "I need to get my arm ready for the season."

Then Sunday, in a 4-3 Reds loss to Milwaukee, Cessa threw 36 pitches over three innings and allowed two earned runs, two hits and one walk with two strikeouts. He threw an additional 10 pitches in the bullpen.

"I feel good. Three-hour [time] difference, traveled all day yesterday," Cessa said. "I did OK with my body, but I think I did a really good job today."

The only game action Cessa saw for Mexico was two innings vs. Colombia on March 11. He pitched twice for the Reds, totaling three innings, before leaving camp.

Cessa caught a flight from Miami to Phoenix on short notice Saturday and was given the chance to start on Sunday against the Brewers. The club accommodated him by shifting scheduled starter Hunter Greene to a Minor League game.

"I was really excited to be there. I was really sad because I needed to leave, but I think it’s the best for me and my future," Cessa said.

Cessa's start began in shaky fashion as Christian Yelich opened the bottom of the first inning with a single to right-center field and Jesse Winker drew a four-pitch walk. Catcher Tyler Stephenson went to the mound to settle things, and Cessa responded well. He allowed an infield single to Willy Adames, then induced a double play that scored a run. A wild pitch brought home a second run, but Cessa retired eight straight batters to finish the afternoon.

"I know if I stayed [with Mexico], I’d be in the bullpen and start the season in the [Reds’] bullpen," Cessa said. "If I had a little chance to make that spot in the rotation, that’s my goal. That’s the reason I went back."

Bell believed there was enough time for Cessa to start in two more games -- one in Arizona and another in an intrasquad game at Great American Ball Park next week -- to get stretched out enough.

"He did it in the middle of the season last year, so he can do it," Bell said before the game.

In 2022, Cessa made a midseason conversion from reliever to starter and had a 3.77 ERA over his final nine starts from Aug. 22. He is competing in camp with Connor Overton, Chase Anderson, Luke Weaver and Brandon Williamson for two rotation spots. Weaver has a sore right forearm and could open the season on the injured list.

Cessa wasn't the only player who returned from the tournament. Closer Alexis Díaz, reliever Fernando Cruz and outfielder Henry Ramos were also back Sunday from playing for Puerto Rico, and reliever Ian Gibaut rejoined the club a couple of days ago after Great Britain was eliminated.

Like Cessa, Ramos was used sparingly during the WBC and went hitless in two at-bats. The non-roster invite was batting .571 with three doubles in eight games before departing. Cincinnati's outfield situation remains in flux, but Ramos will keep pushing. He believed he kept himself sharp enough despite not playing.

"I kept working in the cages with the pitching machines and trying to see different pitches at all times. I know I feel ready," Ramos said via translator Jorge Merlos. He entered Sunday's game as the right fielder in the sixth inning and hit a homer in the ninth.

Unlike Díaz, Cruz is still vying for a roster spot, but he was utilized throughout the tournament. Cruz pitched in three games, including being used as an opener in a Round One upset win vs. the Dominican Republic, working 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

"What I did there was in the same line of what I was doing last year in Cincinnati and here in Spring Training," Cruz said. "I feel great. My pitches are in great shape right now. I want to take it back to Cincinnati and help the team the most I can."