CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 13: Tony Santillan #64 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
As unpopular as the move may be among some within the Cincinnati fanbase, transforming Tony Santillan from a starter into a reliever makes sense. The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Louisville yesterday, and the plan is for Santillan to shift his focus from being in the rotation to coming out of the Cincinnati Reds bullpen.
Yesterday, the Reds recalled Ashton Goudeau to take Santillan’s place on the active roster. Sonny Gray is expected to return on Friday, replacing Santillan in the the starting rotation.