The Cincinnati Reds acquired Justin Dunn (and other assets) over the offseason in exchange for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez.
Dunn has been a bit inconsistent over his MLB career, yet he has managed to post a solid 3.94 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.
He is still 26 years old, so his best years are probably ahead of him.
Dunn has been nursing some right shoulder inflammation, and that’s why he hasn’t pitched at all this season.
That will soon change, though.
“Justin Dunn is throwing a bullpen at GABP this morning. He’s expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend,” the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bobby Nightengale tweeted.
Justin Dunn is throwing a bullpen at GABP this morning. He's expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 23, 2022
GABP is, of course, Great American Ballpark, the home of the Reds.
Dunn, to be more specific, will make a minor league rehab start on Sunday for High-A Dayton.
He Could Be Back Around The All-Star Break
If he keeps progressing the way he has in the last few weeks, he will need a few rehab starts and is on track to return to the Reds’ rotation around the All-Star break.
Whether the Reds call him up before or after the All-Star break will depend on his progress and how he looks while facing minor league hitters.
In any case, Dunn is almost ready to prove he can be an effective, reliable major league starter.
The Reds aren’t expected to compete this year, so he will be pitching in a low-stress environment.
They are counting on him to be an above-average starter for the foreseeable future, though, so any development in 2022 will be welcomed.
At this point, however, the Reds just want to see him healthy and pitching every five days from now until the season is over.
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