As the Cincinnati Reds rotation continues to fluctuate, it will likely see the return of one of its core pieces next week. Brandon Finnegan suffered a strained left trapezius muscle in mid-April that sidelined him for over a month and led to a very cautious build up on his rehab assignment. But now he looks ready to slide back in and could start on Monday.
The 24-year-old southpaw's season got off to a great note with seven shutout innings and nine strikeouts in his 2017 debut, then he pitched just two innings in his next start due to five walks allowed. Finnegan would suffer the strained trapezius in his next start and was sidelined ever since.
Finnegan returned to the mound for his first rehab start on June 11 and threw just 35 pitches, 23 for strikes, as the Reds looked to bring him along slowly and safely. He would throw 54 pitches in his next rehab outing on June 16, before he made his last rehab outing on June 21. In his most recent outing, Finnegan threw 71 pitches across five innings and allowed four runs. Across his 12-inning rehab assignment, Finnegan allowed a .186 batting average to opponents and walked just three batters.
His first start back should see him top out at around 85 pitches at most. So fantasy owners will likely want to play it smart and keep Finnegan out of their lineups next week given the major risk he'll carry and limited pitch count.