Raisel Iglesias Raisel Iglesias delivered some good news for the Cincinnati Reds with a spring training start. The other part of that news was that Iglesias pitched just one inning.
Iglesias was delayed to spring training by a shoulder strengthening program. The 26-year-old Cuban hurler threw 95.1 innings last year for the Reds. He also pitched 29 innings in Triple-A. His combined 124.1 innings would put him on a path to throw between 150 and 160 innings this year.
The innings limit faced by Igelsias will put the Reds’ rotation on notice for help at some point in the season. The same can be said for rotation candidate Brandon Finnegan, who threw a combined 105.1 innings in 2015 between the majors and minors. Finnegan won’t likely pitch more than 150 innings this year either.
Iglesias will likely have three or four more spring training outings before the start of the regular season. He might be stretched out enough to throw five innings in his first Reds’ start of the season. Even if able to throw to that extent, Iglesias may still find that the Reds will give him extra days of rest to start the season instead of starting him every fifth game.
The return of Iglesias gives the Reds some clarity to their rotation to start the season if he can avoid any setbacks. Iglesias will be joined as a top starter in the rotation by Anthony DeSclafani. Finnegan looks to be the frontrunner for the third rotation spot to start the season. After those three, Jon Moscot will be at the forefront of the mix to fill the other two rotation spots.
The Reds will likely start the season without starters Michael Lorenzen and John Lamb. Lorenzen is dealing with elbow soreness. Lamb is still rehabbing from offseason back surgery.
Homer Bailey most likely won’t be ready until mid-May due to continuing rehab from Tommy John surgery last year.
At least the Reds can be relieved to know that Iglesias is on track to start the season.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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