Dayan Diaz be one of the Cincinnati Reds‘ relievers to face a busy start to the 2016 season. The Reds’ opening week rotation has been set with Raisel Iglesias, Brandon Finnegan, a starter to be determined, Alfredo Simon and then Iglesias again.
Injuries to rotation hopefuls John Lamb, Michael Lorenzen and Jon Moscot have complicated the outset of 2016 for the Reds.
As a result, the Reds will have to add a spot starter to the opening week roster. The uncertainty about the rotation will probably make it necessary for the Reds to have as many arms ready as possible in the bullpen.
That could lead the Reds to opt for an eight-man bullpen with closer J.J. Hoover and lefty Tony Cingrani locks at the back end.
The Reds have two relievers under major league contracts in Blake Wood and Ross Ohlendorf. Those two are also probably locks for the pen due to the financial commitment.
Jumbo Diaz has pitched poorly this spring. Opponents have hit .359 against him in nine spring innings. His WHIP is 1.89. Diaz will get the benefit of the doubt due to his past two years with the Reds. He has a 3.88 ERA in 95 innings with the Reds. He also has a fastball that approaches 100 mph.
Keyvius Sampson also appears destined to make the Reds due to his upside as a strong-armed, younger pitcher who could serve a swing starter-reliever if necessary.
Those six are probably joined by Caleb Cotham by default. The 28-year-old Cotham has limited upside and pitched poorly this spring. He was, however, part of the Aroldis Chapman trade.
That leaves Dayan Diaz to break camp with the team. He’s limited opponents to a .214 batting average in 11.2 spring innings and has a WHIP of 1.20. The 27-year-old Diaz has had a stellar minor league career. He sports a 2.04 ERA in 329.2 minor league innings across nine seasons.
The Reds will hope that the minor league success of this Diaz translates at the big league level.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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