Santillan told Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer on Tuesday that he'll serve as a reliever for the Reds to begin the season. "I'll go in and attack every hitter I face," Santillan said.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan has mostly served as a full-time starter since joining the Reds organization as a second-round pick in 2015, with this past season marking the first time he dabbled between starting and relief duty. The 24-year-old still made four starts across his 26 appearances with the big club in 2021, and though he was expected to compete for a rotation role in spring training, the Reds have since tabled those plans. Even with Luis Castillo (shoulder) and Mike Minor (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list, the Reds may be content to let prospects Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene fill out the final two openings in the rotation behind Tyler Mahle, Vladimir Gutierrez and Reiver Sanmartin. Meanwhile, manager David Bell informed Santillan that he'll be heading to the bullpen, where he's expected to serve as one of the Reds' high-leverage relievers, according to Goldsmith. Santillan could be a factor in the Reds' closing picture, which has become more murkier this spring with Lucas Sims (elbow) on track to join Castillo and Minor on the IL to begin the season.

Santillan is under consideration for one of the three open spots in the Reds' rotation, though he hasn't worked more than two innings in spring training so far, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan came up through the minors as a starter, though he had better results in the bullpen in the majors last season. "We'd love to have him in the bullpen because he dominated at the end of last season," Bell said. "To have that in the bullpen, his aggressive mentality, I would not be afraid of him in any situation (in the bullpen). But he's also a really good starter. With where we are, it's early to make that decision."

Santillan (ankle) is scheduled to start Sunday's spring training game against the Giants, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan underwent ankle surgery during the offseason, but he's been throwing bullpen sessions to open spring training and will make an early start for the Reds. It appears the 24-year-old will be ready for the start of the season despite the procedure. He made his big-league debut for Cincinnati in 2021 and had a 2.91 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 56:21 K:BB over 43.1 innings with four starts in 26 appearances.

Santillan underwent ankle surgery during the offseason but has been throwing bullpens to begin spring training, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan made his major-league debut in 2021 and recorded a 2.91 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 43.1 innings across 26 appearances (four starts). General manager Nick Krall classified Santillan's surgery as a right ankle debridement that he underwent on Oct. 29, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander's offseason procedure will force him to miss time early in the regular season, but the fact that he's already throwing bullpens signals that any potential absence is unlikely to be a significant one.

Santillan (1-3) allowed one run on one hit with two strikeouts in an inning of work, taking the loss in Saturday's 8-6 defeat to the Pirates. He also hit a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan got the first two outs of his inning but beaned Yoshi Tsutsugo before coughing up an RBI triple to Bryan Reynolds that would be the difference in the game. The rookie has had a bit of a topsy-turvy season, as he began life with the Reds as a starter before occupying a few different roles in the bullpen. He'll be an interesting watch in camp next year as Cincinnati tries to figure out where best to deploy the right-hander.

Santillan allowed a solo homer in Saturday's win over the Nationals. The Reds haven't decided what his role will be in 2022 after they moved him to the bullpen this summer, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan has been on a roll, allowing two runs over the last two months, a span of 21.1 innings. Walks have remained an issue still, as he's walked 10 over that span and 20 over 41 major-league innings this season.

Santillan was called up by Cincinnati on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan has struck out 30 batters in 23.1 innings at the highest level this season but owns a mediocre 4.24 ERA. He'll take the bullpen spot that had been occupied by Heath Hembree, who was designated for assignment.

Santillan was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander covered 3.2 scoreless frames in his past three outings, but he'll head back to Triple-A with Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) returning from the injured list. Santillan will continue working as a reliever with Louisville and could rejoin Cincinnati's bullpen down the stretch.

Santillan struck out three while allowing one hit over 1.2 innings Monday against the Cubs, coming on in relief of starter Wade Miley.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan had a couple of rough outings after the All-Star break, but he's thrown three scoreless outings with at least two strikeouts in a row now. That doesn't seem like too much, but it might be enough to put him in a higher-leverage spot in his next time out.

Santillan was recalled by the Reds on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Santillan will be taking the roster spot that had belonged to Sonny Gray (ribs), who hit the injured list in a corresponding move. It doesn't look as though he'll be taking Gray's spot in the rotation, however, as Gray just pitched Wednesday and won't see his turn come up again until after the All-Star break. Santillan is unlikely to have much fantasy value as a reliever, as his solid 3.78 ERA in four starts this season comes with a roughly average 24.4 percent strikeout rate and a poor 1.68 WHIP.