Reds clear four spots on 40-man roster, Abel De Los Santos claimed by Angels

The Cincinnati Reds have wasted little time in making roster moves this offseason.  Already this week we saw John Lamb designated for assignment and Ariel Hernandez added, and that came on the heels of the slew of moves they made back on October 11th.

Friday saw continued action, too, as the Reds announced that each of Caleb Cotham, Hernan Iribarren, and Yorman Rodriguez had been outrighted to Louisville, while Abel De Los Santos was claimed by the Los Angeles Angels.

Reds outright to Louisville RHP Caleb Cotham, IF/OF Hernan Iribarren, OF Yorman Rodriguez. RHP Abel De Los Santos was claimed by Angels.

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) October 28, 2016

That De Los Santos was claimed is somewhat surprising given his journeyman history, but not quite as intriguing as Yorman Rodriguez clearing waivers.  Yorman has long been touted as a raw, yet extremely talented OF since his record signing as a 16 year old out of Venezuela, but a combination of injuries and underperformance have kept him from truly making an impact both with the Reds and throughout the minors.  He's been young for his age at every level, however, and just turned 24 years old, which made me think someone would take a flier on him should he ever be booted from the Reds' roster. Apparently that wasn't the case, though he certainly seems like a type of player who will be considered in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

Cotham's 2016 season was ended when he needed surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee back in June, which made the former New York Yankees righty an easy player to pass through waivers - a la John Lamb. Iribarren, on the other hand, will turn 33 next year, and obviously wasn't expected to be claimed.

Those moves cleared an additional four spots on the 40-man roster, ones that will be filled in short order prior to December's Rule 5 Draft.