While much of the attention at the Cincinnati Reds’ spring training has been on the starting rotation, the bullpen presents just as many chances for changes.
Alexis Díaz, Emilio Pagán, and Tony Santillan are likely locked into spots, along with left-handers Taylor Rogers and Brent Suter. Beyond them, the competition remains wide open, with some players stepping up while others may be falling out of contention.
One of about a dozen players fighting for the remaining bullpen spots is lefty Sam Moll. Based on past performance alone, he would have a strong case to make the roster.
However, his recovery from a left shoulder injury has not gone smoothly. Typically a ground-ball pitcher with solid command, Moll has been allowing more fly balls, and as of March 10, 44.4% of his 54 pitches (24 total) had been balls.
Sam Moll’s slow spring start could open the door for a non-roster invitee to make the Reds bullpen
Several young and ambitious relievers, including a wave of Reds prospects, could take Sam Moll’s place, but perhaps none is more determined than Lenny Torres Jr. Once a highly regarded prospect in the Cleveland Guardians’ system, Torres saw his value decline due to Tommy John surgery, COVID-related cancellations, and a slow progression through the minors. The Reds signed him to a minor league deal in December.
Since then, Torres has seized his opportunity. In five outings, he has stranded every inherited runner, allowing just one walk while striking out five. His slider has been particularly sharp, and his fastball consistently reaches the high 90s.
Torres needs this shot. He made significant progress at Double-A in 2024, surpassing 50 innings for the first time since 2021 and cutting his walk rate by 6.4%. If he can carry that momentum into 2025, he could make his MLB debut—if not on Opening Day, then later in the season.
His strong performance does create a roster dilemma for the Reds. Torres is not currently on the 40-man roster and would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft at season’s end. He’ll need to fend off top prospects pushing for a big-league role in the coming months. For now, though, he’s making a compelling case to replace Moll in the bullpen.
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