Reds option Tony Cingrani to Triple-A

Cingrani is the odd man out of the rotation with Johnny Cueto returning to the rotation on Monday.

By Connor Moylan May 18, 2013, 3:51pm EDT

The Cincinnati Reds optioned starting pitcher Tony Cingrani to Triple-A Louisville, recalling infielder Neftali Soto from Triple-A to fill his spot on the roster, the team announced on Saturday.

More Reds: Red Reporter

Cingrani made his major-league debut for the Reds on April 18 after the team placed starting pitcher Johnny Cueto on the 15-day disabled list with a lat strain. The 23-year-old pitched well in his six starts for Cincinnati, going 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA. Cingrani fanned 41 hitters in 33 innings and only issued nine walks.

Despite his effectiveness, Cingrani is being sent back to the minor leagues. The Reds have enviable depth in the rotation, with Homer Bailey, Mat Latos, Mike Leake and Bronson Arroyo all currently pitching at a high level. The team was weighing their options between Cingrani and Leake for the final spot in the rotation, and decided to keep Leake.

Leake owns a 3.72 ERA through his first eight starts of the season. The right-handed pitcher has looked sharp recently, as he threw 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Miami Marlins in his last start. Cingrani struggled a bit more recently, allowing nine runs and five homers in his last 15 innings pitched.

Soto is a 24-year-old corner infielder making his debut with the Reds. Soto has started the season slow on the offensive end in Triple-A, hitting .269/.310/.388 in his first 142 plate appearances.