Reds announce first roster moves/cuts – Aquino, Kuhnel, Bowman + others

by — July 17, 2020 in Transactions

The Reds announced their first roster moves this afternoon:

Translation: The “alternate summer camp site” is equivalent to minor league affilates in previous years. The first group (Aquino, Bowman, Kuhnel, Shafer) have to be “optioned” because the players are on the 40-man roster. The second group (Garcia, Thornberg) can be “assigned” because they aren’t on the 40-man roster.

Implications: Looks like the Reds have chosen Matt Davidson over Aristides Aquino as the RH bat off the bench, at least for now. Davidson has to be added to the 40-man roster, but Scott Schebler’s spot seems like an obvious choice for that. Davidson has seemed more reliable than Aquino in the training camp. But we don’t know for sure Davidson will make the team.

The demotion of Bowman and Kuhnel were a little surprising. If the Reds go with 15 pitchers, you have the five starters, Tyler Mahle, Raisel Iglesias, Amir Garrett, Michael Lorenzen, Cody Reed, Lucas Sims, Robert Stephenson and Pedro Strop plus two more. Jose De Leon seems possible, so does Tejay Antone. They are both on the 40-man roster. Nate Jones isn’t on the 40-man roster and could make the team.

Steve Mancuso

Steve Mancuso is a lifelong Reds fan who grew up during the Big Red Machine era. He’s been writing about the Reds for more than ten years. Steve’s fondest memories about the Reds include attending a couple 1975 World Series games, being at Homer Bailey’s second no-hitter and going nuts for Jay Bruce at Clinchmas. Steve was also at all three games of the 2012 NLDS, but it’s too soon to talk about that.

4 Responses

  1. kmartin says:
    July 17, 2020 at 9:46 PM

    I have only one comment: “One Week.” Not that I am counting the days.

  2. R Smith says:
    July 18, 2020 at 1:09 PM

    Bowman had some arm soreness earlier so probably just needs a few weeks to get 100%.

    How does Aquino’ s option work. He had one left? Does he now have zero and once he gets back to the MLB roster, he can’t be sent down?

    • Matt Wilkes says:
      July 18, 2020 at 2:38 PM

      He has one option left. Options last for the duration of the season. Yesterday’s move used up his last option, but the Reds can freely call him up and option him for the rest of the season. Next year, however, he’ll have to stay on the big-league roster or be designated for assignment.

      • R Smith says:
        July 18, 2020 at 3:30 PM

        Thanks Matt.
        Watching Miley pitch, did you do an analysis on him at one point throwing a cutter in on Suarez for a K when he pitched for the brewers? Guys don’t seem to get good swings on him despite his pedestrian velocity.

Subscribe to RC+ via Email

Get an email every time we publish a new post!

Reds Content Plus is a site for passionate fans of the Cincinnati Reds. Our staff of independent writers covers the performance of Reds players and the strategies of the Reds manager and front office. Our content builds on what you’ll find at other Reds fan sites. What separates RC+ is our use of (and explaining) advanced statistical measures. Whether it’s a sacrifice bunt, intentional walk, stolen base, bullpen use, pinch hitting or pulling the starting pitcher, we’ll dig into the numbers. If you want to support us, check out our Support Page.