The Reds declared this afternoon that they have chosen to sign right-hander Alan Busenitz to a contract. In order to create space for Busenitz on the playing roster, the team optioned Carson Spiers, another right-hander.

Busenitz joined the Twins in 2017 and left the team in 2018. He then went overseas to pitch for four seasons in Japan, where he recorded 190 NPB appearances with a 2.60 ERA and 2.91 FIP. The Reds were impressed by Busenitz’s performance and signed him to a minor league contract in December. After throwing to a 3.60 ERA and 2.65 FIP in five innings of work in his five Reds appearances, Busenitz was outright sent to the minors in early September after being designated for assignment. Despite having a 4.94 ERA in 51 innings pitched at the Triple-A level this season, he has since returned to the team and will get to play for the Reds in the club’s 2023 season finale.

Earlier in the season, Spiers, 25, made his major league debut with the Reds. In 13 innings of work, the rookie struggled in his first taste of the big leagues, giving up twelve runs (10 earned) on seven walks and eighteen hits while striking out twelve. Spiers was more successful in the minor league ranks, spending the most of the season at Double-A and amassing an 85-inning 3.60 ERA total between Double-A and Triple-A. If Spiers remains on the team’s 40-man roster during the offseason, he should be a contender for a job in the major league bullpen come Spring Training of 2024.