Reiver Sanmartin, Nick Castellanos, Suarez

PITTSBURGH – It’s too early to tell how Reiver Sanmartin could figure into the Cincinnati Reds’ 2022 pitching plans, but the 25-year-old made the most of his two starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  

Sanmartin allowed two runs in 11 2/3 innings during his first two big-league starts. He struck out 11, generating exceptional horizontal movement on his pitches with his low arm slot, and he walked two.

“He is highly thought of as a pitcher in our organization,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He stepped in, came to the big leagues and showed what he could do for two games. It’s bigger than that. I think that’s important, but also you look at everything he’s done to get to this point. He wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think he was ready. He definitely will get an opportunity in spring training and we’ll see where he is. Just really impressive in every way.”

Sanmartin salvaged his start Sunday by limiting the damage after entering a bases-loaded jam with no outs. He struck out Colin Moran after falling behind in a 3-0 count, painting the bottom of the strike zone with his 89-mph fastball. He issued a bases-loaded walk, allowing a run to score, but then escaped with an inning-ending double play.

Always smiling in his postgame interviews, Sanmartin completed six innings Sunday and he retired 11 of his final 13 batters.

“I wasn’t finding the strike zone at the beginning of the game,” Sanmartin said, according to team interpreter Jorge Merlos. “I told myself, this game is the same. It’s the same as I’ve played when I was little, and it hasn’t changed. I kind of just reset everything, started from zero and went on from there.”

The Reds could return all five of their regular starters if they pick up the $10 million club option in Wade Miley’s contract. Top prospect Hunter Greene will compete for a spot in the rotation next spring after a strong minor-league season. Prospects Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft should be ready to contribute next year, too.

Sanmartin had a 10-2 record and a 3.32 ERA in 100 1/3 innings between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville before he was called up to the Majors. He doesn’t match top prospects with his pure stuff, but he had an effective fastball, slider and changeup mix in his two Major League starts.

“It’s for my family,” Sanmartin said. “They’re the ones that really got me to here. Being an only child too, it’s hard leaving your family and going on this journey. I have to dedicate it all to them. They’re the ones that really helped me out with this journey.”

CENTURY MARK: Nick Castellanos crossed the 100-RBI milestone for the second time in his career when he drove in a run with a double off the right-field wall in the third inning Sunday.

He became the fifth player in Reds history to hit .300 with 35 doubles, 30 homers and 100 RBI in a season, joining Joey Votto (2010), Dave Parker (1985), Frank Robinson (1962) and Gus Bell (1953).