Cessa (1-3) earned the win Friday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings in a 11-7 victory over the Athletics. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Cessa turned in a decent start against the last-place Athletics, but he still has a long way to go before becoming a reliable option in fantasy. The right-hander hasn't lasted longer than 5.1 innings in a start this year, and currently has a 9.55 ERA. The veteran is tentatively slated to face the Padres on the road in his next start.

Cessa (0-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits over 4.2 innings against the Pirates. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Cessa had a much improved outing after giving up 16 runs across his previous 6.2 innings pitched. The right-hander got unlucky with Cincinnati's lack of run support, but he also needs to pitch deeper into games. He has not yet completed the sixth inning this year, which will not be good enough in the long run. The 30-year-old still has plenty of time left to improve, but his poor pitching should be concerning for fantasy managers.

Cessa (0-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing 11 runs on 14 hits and three walks in three innings during a 14-3 loss to the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Cessa served up a leadoff homer to Bryson Stott in the first and proceed to get knocked around for eight more runs before finally getting out of the inning. After a scoreless second, the right-hander allowed another run in the third and wasn't able to record an out in the fourth before getting pulled in favor of Fernando Cruz. Cessa's ERA currently sits at 13.50, and he has more walks (eight) than strikeouts (three) through three outings (12 innings).

Cessa (0-1) took the loss to Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

After a promising season debut, Cessa struggled against the powerful bats in the Atlanta lineup. The 30-year-old allowed a solo homer to Matt Olson in the first inning and a two-run shot to Ozzie Albies in the fourth before losing the lead on an RBI double by Sam Hilliard. Despite this performance, Cessa will remain the fifth man in the Reds' starting rotation and try to improve his 7.00 ERA in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for this weekend against the Phillies.

Cessa did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over 5.1 innings against the Cubs. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The bullpen imploded behind Cessa, allowing eight runs to turn this one into a laugher. Cessa did his job -- he had a lead when he exited the game -- though his fastball looked entirely too hittable at times. The Reds like Cessa more in the rotation, so he will remain there until injury or poor performance dictate otherwise. Cessa pitched primarily out of the bullpen last season, making 36 relief appearances compared to 10 starts.

Cessa fired five scoreless innings Wednesday during an exhibition game in Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

Cessa allowed just one hit in the exhibition. There were worries that after his lack of use in the World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico might limit his inning, but it's encouraging to see him go five in the exhibition bout. He'll be back on the mound on Tuesday against the Cubs.

Cessa will begin the season as the Reds' fifth starter, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cessa is still trying to ramp up as a starter, so it makes sense that he'll take the Reds last spot in the rotation for now, behind Connor Overton. Cessa posted a 4.57 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 80.2 innings as a swingman for Cincy in 2022.

Reds manager David Bell confirmed that Cessa will have enough time to build up to be ready to be a starter by the beginning of the season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cessa was pitching with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic prior to Sunday, and he threw only two innings in the WBC before his departure. The right-hander went three innings during Sunday's spring start against the Brewers, and it's reasonable to expect that he'll go deeper in his next Cactus league appearance. At this point it seems that Cessa is a lock to begin the year with the Reds in their starting rotation.

Cessa is starting Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers after leaving Team Mexico before the semifinal of the World Baseball Classic, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Cessa threw only two innings with Team Mexico during the WBC, and the right-hander will now hope to get stretched out before the start of the regular season. If Cessa pitches well, he has a chance to open the season in the rotation, and if not he could be a multi-inning reliever to begin the year.

Cessa "seemingly has the inside track" to win a spot in the Reds' rotation, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

He and Luke Weaver (forearm) have been the favorites to capture the final two rotation spots, although Weaver's injury could give Brandon Williamson, Chase Anderson or Connor Overton an opening. Cessa has split time between starting and relieving in his career but pitched pretty well down the stretch in 2022 with a 3.65 ERA in his final seven starts. He doesn't offer much swing-and-miss but has some ground ball ability.