Before I get to Tony Santillan, and the fact that I have personally been routing for him since spring training, let’s get one thing out of the way. I did not want someone to get injured in order for Santillan to get back in the big leagues. I thought he deserved this chance way before now, but I guess better late than never.

In order for Tony to get recalled the Reds actually were forced to make multiple moves. One player had to go to the 15-day IL and another had to go to the 60 day-IL. With those two moves it means the Reds currently have eight players on the 60-day IL and five additional players on the 10-day IL for a total of thirteen players not currently at their disposal.

“We’re hoping to have him back 15 days from now,” Reds manager David Bell said Saturday. “It’s probably good to happen [now], just help him get ready for the second half and get reinforcements for us.”

Even though he struck out a career high nine and earned a win the night before, starting pitcher Carson Spiers was placed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder impingement.

Nick Martini, who had surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside his thumb on July ninth, was transferred to the 60-day IL officially on July 13.

In my opinion, he should have made the club out of spring training the way I witnessed him pitch, but he didn’t complain, he didn’t bash his team or the front office’s decision in the media. He excepted his assignment, and became the closer for AAA Louisville. In 38 relief appearances in Louisville, he compiled a 3.49 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 16 saves in 38.75 innings pitched. In short he was a professional.

I do have a second reason for rooting for Santillan. Two years ago, in a spring training game, he walked over to myself and a group of Reds fans who had traveled to Surprise Stadium to watch their beloved Reds. He signed all our memorabilia, took the time to speak to us, and had a great heartfelt interaction with a special needs kid who had a smile on his face you could not have wiped away until at least the 5th inning. If I will never forget that afternoon, I am sure that young fan will not either.

Tony’s story actually started with a story. His first strikeout in the big leagues came against the Colorado Rockies on June 13th 2021 against Trevor Story. I hope his story continues in the big leagues for the Reds as he has battled injury, worked hard and fought his way back, while never complaining. But, there is trepidation to close this article with. You see, the reason the Reds may have waited so long to promote Tony may be because he does not have any minor league options left, and if they do decide to once again demote him, he will be exposed to waivers where I am afraid another team will claim him. Or, the Reds are being calculative, for once, and may trade a couple of relievers on the final year of their contracts, and in doing so have Tony take their place. I hope that is how his story continues.

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