LOS ANGELES – For the first time in David Bell’s four seasons as manager, the Cincinnati Reds are using an opener as a pitching strategy.
Luis Cessa will start Thursday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers with previously scheduled starter Reiver Sanmartin expected to follow Cessa out of the bullpen at some point. Cessa, who made 19 starts with the New York Yankees, hasn’t thrown more than 30 pitches in an outing since the start of spring training, so he likely won’t pitch more than two innings.
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Bell always maintained an open mind toward openers since it became more popular around the league in 2019.