Reds' rotation set, but roster far from finished

The Reds haven’t quite set their Opening Day roster just yet. But on Saturday, some things were coming into in focus with only five days remaining before the first regular-season game.

Three more cuts came, with reliever Noé Ramirez being released while outfielder/first baseman Nicky Delmonico and lefty reliever Josh Osich were re-assigned to the Minor League camp. Ramirez, who had a 9.00 ERA in six appearances this spring, was acquired from the Angels in the Dec. 7 trade for closer Raisel Iglesias. The move was meant to be a payroll reducer, trimming Iglesias’ $9.125 million salary.

“[Ramirez] was a guy that when we acquired him this offseason, we knew he wasn’t guaranteed a spot,” Reds general manager Nick Krall said. “We brought him in to compete for a spot on the club, and he was one of the guys that were out.”

A five-man starting rotation is now known, but not the exact order after Luis Castillo pitches on Opening Day vs. the Cardinals. Besides Castillo, the group will have Tyler Mahle, Wade Miley, Jeff Hoffman and José De León. Sonny Gray and Michael Lorenzen are expected to begin the season on the injured list.

Lorenzen, who suffered a slight strain in his right shoulder on March 20, has earned a spot as a starter and will join the group once activated. Pitching coach Derek Johnson noted the club was taking a conservative approach not to rush Lorenzen back.

“Talked about him a little bit earlier today internally, and he’s done great,” Johnson said on Saturday. “As a matter of fact, the trainers are amazed at the progress that he’s made in a short amount of time. He feels really good. He’s already throwing. I don’t expect there to be too much time in between. On the same side, I don’t want to rush into something thinking that everything is just OK. I think if we did that and then something bad happened, we would regret it.”

Injuries to Gray, Lorenzen and Tejay Antone played a part in Hoffman and De León being starters to begin the season.

Hoffman was acquired in an offseason trade from the Rockies for pitcher Robert Stephenson.

“I’ve seen some really good things. I’ve seen some things that obviously need to become a little bit more consistent,” Johnson said. “Jeff, to me, is one of those guys that it’s going to be a learning year for him. That’s not to say that I don’t think he will pitch well, because I do. I also think he’s the guy that is going to learn on the fly.”

De León is in a similar situation as Hoffman as he continues to develop as a starter.

“When you’re talking about guys like that, I don’t see it as being scary,” Johnson said. “I see it as being almost normal. I think if you look at some of the pitching staffs we’ve had here the last couple of years, that’s happened a lot.”

There are still 36 players in camp and a few decisions to make to set a 26-man roster.

Max Schrock, Alex Blandino, Kyle Farmer, Mike Freeman and Kyle Holder are all still in the race for utility-infield roles. Prospect Jonathan India is the leading candidate to be the new second baseman, while Mike Moustakas will switch from second base to third base.

“He’s still looking to fight for a spot on the club, but we’re getting closer,” Krall said of India.

It’s looking highly likely that Eugenio Suárez will move from third base to shortstop after the veteran made the position switch on March 16.

“I feel good about it,” Krall said. “He has played well. He has moved really well at short. He’s made all the plays in the field. He’s done everything you need him to do. I’m excited about it, actually.”

In the outfield, Aristides Aquino, Tyler Naquin and Mark Payton are battling to be reserves. It’s not yet clear whether the Reds will carry four or five outfielders. Aquino is out of Minor League options, which could help his chances.

The bullpen is perhaps the most fluid situation of all, as Cam Bedrosian, Cionel Pérez, Heath Hembree, Carson Fulmer, Sal Romano and Braden Shipley are still competing for spots. Overall, Cincinnati is expected to carry eight relievers.

“It will go down to the wire with most of these guys,” Johnson said. “I think it’s because of where we’re at from a depth perspective. It’d be great to tell guys, ‘Hey, you’ve made the team. You’re on it. Here we go.’ I just don’t think we’ve put ourselves in a position to do that quite yet. It seems weird because we’re leaving on Monday. We’re only talking about a couple of days, but we do have a couple of more days to watch these guys pitch. That’s what we’re going to have to do at this point.”