The Cincinnati Reds were left with no choice but to make a difficult roster decision this week, optioning left-hander Reiver Sanmartin back to Triple-A Louisville. The move came less than 24 hours after Sanmartin had been recalled to the big-league roster, a reminder of how unforgiving roster management can be in September.
Sanmartin’s brief stay in Cincinnati wasn’t about poor performance — in fact, he didn’t even take the mound during his short stint. Instead, the Reds were faced with a crunch brought on by the return of catcher Tyler Stephenson from a thumb injury and the need for additional pitching depth. With Lyon Richardson’s fresh arm ready in Louisville, Cincinnati chose to make the quick swap.
For Sanmartin, it’s another example of the ups and downs of life as a pitcher with minor-league options. While he remains a valuable left-handed depth piece for the Reds, his flexibility makes him one of the first names considered when the club has to shuffle players in and out of the 26-man roster. It’s a tough reality, but one that allows the Reds to adapt to the daily demands of a long season.
Back in Louisville, Sanmartin will continue to log important innings for the Bats, keeping himself ready should the Reds need him again in the coming weeks. His ability to handle both starting and relief roles makes him an appealing candidate for another call-up, especially as the Reds navigate injuries to their pitching staff.
Though the decision may sting for the left-hander, it’s far from a permanent setback. With the postseason race heating up and Cincinnati’s bullpen workload piling higher by the day, it’s only a matter of time before Sanmartin finds himself back in a Reds uniform. For now, the organization hopes he can stay sharp in Triple-A and be ready when the phone rings again.
