The Reds let Sanmartin go shortly before the non-tender deadline, and he will now rejoin the organization but not be included in the 40-man roster.  If the July surgery on his UCL was a typical Tommy John procedure, it doesn’t appear like he will be back for the most of the 2024 season.  But if Sanmartin had an internal brace treatment, his prognosis would be better. Depending on the injury, this procedure has a more flexible recovery period, but it may also shorten it considerably.  Sanmartin might be prepared for the start of spring training if he falls inside the 6–9 month window for brace surgery.

 

 

Sanmartin’s minor league contract was not disclosed to be for one or two years, as the latter would have suggested a longer rehabilitation period.  For pitchers recovering from significant arm surgeries, such two-year contracts at the minor league or big league levels are typical since they allow teams to lock up a player with the understanding that they will miss the most of the first season.  Wyatt Mills, who underwent TJ surgery in July of last year, signed a two-year minor league contract with the Red Sox just now.

 

In January 2019, Sanmartin was traded by the Yankees to the Reds in exchange for Sonny Gray.  After making his Major League debut in 2021 and playing for Cincinnati the next three seasons, Sanmartin has a 5.77 ERA in 82 2/3 innings pitched in the Show, mostly as a reliever.  Sanmartin’s 53.5% groundball rate is noteworthy despite his lackluster walk and strikeout rates; batters have fared better against his grounder-heavy strategy, with a.339 BABIP.  With stronger strikeout and control statistics on the farm, the 27-year-old southpaw has amassed a 3.39 ERA in 446 minor league innings.

 

 

Blandino is another former Red; he was drafted by the organization in 2014 with the 29th pick overall, and he spent his first three MLB seasons (2018–21) in Cincinnati.  Blandino posted a.226/.339/.291 slash line in 279 plate appearances, but he was mostly known for drawing walks. Unfortunately, a broken ACL and other injuries limited his time in the major leagues.  Blandino played in the minor leagues for a while with the Giants and Mariners after being outrighted by the Reds after the 2021 season. In 2023, he participated in the World Baseball Classic as a member of Team Nicaragua, which was his only professional experience.

 

In addition to his extensive expertise at third base and middle infield, the 31-year-old Blandino has had a few appearances as a first baseman, corner outfielder, and even pitched four mop-up innings in blowouts during the 2021 season.  Because of his versatility, he’s a valuable depth option in the minors, particularly given that the Reds’ farm system’s position-player ranks have become more crowded due to the surge of young star prospects joining the majors.