Gutierrez entered spring training as a favorite to win a rotation spot, and injuries to Luis Castillo and Mike Minor make it even more likely that Gutierrez will start, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Gutierrez may have a rotation spot, but there are plenty of red flags regarding his performance, starting with his measly 17.7 K% last season, along with a 9.3 BB%. The Reds have a number of young pitchers on the rise, some of whom might make the Opening Day roster, and others that could surpass him in the rotation in short order.