Cincinnati Reds make more spring cuts, including Brandon Finnegan

If the Brandon Finnegan comeback tour is truly going to have a Disney ending, they’ve worked incredibly hard to add depth to the plot. After a disastrous 2018 season that was one year removed from injuries to both of his shoulders, the hope was that Finnegan would finally be healthy in 2019 and able to resurrect his once promising career, but that’s certainly not what we saw in his initial Cactus League action this spring.

So while it’s unfortunate, for sure, it’s wholly unsurprising to see that he was one of five players cut by the Cincinnati Reds from big league camp on Monday. He, along with Vlad Gutierrez, Buddy Boshers, Christian Colon, and Jesus Reyes were all reassigned to minor league camp, as MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed.

Finnegan, 26 next month, was tagged for 15 runs (11 earned) in just 5.0 IP this spring, with 6 walks and 3 dingers surrendered in that time. That was enough to put a damper on the initial reports on him as camp began, back when it looked as if he was being groomed to be a long-man in the bullpen after a solid initial Cactus League outing, as MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand relayed in late February.

Whether or not the lefty will be stretched out as a starting option or focused as a reliever has yet to be announced.

As for the rest of the cuts, none really come with any additional surprise. Jesus Reyes looks destined for the AAA Louisville bullpen (assuming he holds on to his 40-man roster spot once Jose Iglesias and Derek Dietrich are inevitably added prior to Opening Day), while Vlad Gutierrez will likely be in the Bats rotation (or in that of AA Chattanooga). Boshers and Colon, meanwhile, would be great AAA depth if the Reds can hold on to them, but as veterans on minor league deals with invites to spring camp, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to hear they’ve got opt-out clauses they might exercise this week while in search of opportunities elsewhere.