44 Mike Leake, SP

According to the The Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds have Mike Leake listed as the starter for Tuesday against the Mets, a good sign that the team does not plan to take him out of the rotation with Johnny Cueto on the way back.

The team has yet to divulge their plans for the rotation, but it has been expected that Leake or Tony Cingrani would be demoted with Cueto's return.   

Reds manager Dusty Baker hinted after Wednesday's game against the Marlins that Mike Leake will remain in the rotation even with Johnny Cueto set to come off the disabled list next week, the Cincinnati Enqurier reports. He said the right-hander has earned his spot.

"Who’s talking about keeping his spot?" Baker said. "He’s doing better than some of the guys on our staff. I don’t understand why it comes down to Leake and somebody else. Leakie’s pitched well. He’s taken us deep into games."

Baker did not give any insight on who could be bumped from the rotation upon Cueto's return.

"We’ll let you know when that happens," Baker said. "I don’t think it was a matter of Leakie pitching to keep his spot. It was his spot before anyone else came. You just don’t give up on somebody that quick."

Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake made a compelling case to remain in the rotation Wednesday, as he tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings to win his third decision of the year. Sure, it only came against the Marlins, but it should be enough to at least make the team have to think about their looming decision regarding Leake and Tony Cingrani's futures in the rotation.

From a Fantasy perspective, we have to believe Cingrani gets the team's vote, but he is dealing with a minor shoulder injury that could tip the scales in Leake's direction. Even if Leake remains in the rotation, he is just a 4.24 career ERA pitcher with middling strikeout ability, so there is not much to like about him.

Outside of NL-only Fantasy formats, I wouldn't really touch Leake. And obviously, if the team decides to go with the upside play and stick with the younger Cingrani, Leake likely wouldn't even be worth stashing. Keep an eye on this situation as it develops, and plan to part ways with Leake if the team moves away from him.

Reds starter Mike Leake made his case to remain in the rotation in his outing against the Marlins on Wednesday night. He worked 6 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up nine hits while striking out six in a 4-0 win.

The right-hander threw 60 of his 92 pitches for strikes while lowering his ERA to 3.72. He also walked one while earning his third win.

With Johnny Cueto returning Monday, either Leake or Tony Cingrani is expected to lose his spot in the rotation.

Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (lat, oblique) will come off the disabled list Monday to start against the Mets, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mike Leake was originally scheduled to start Monday, but Cueto's return doesn't mean Leake is out of the rotation.

Leake is scheduled to take the hill Wednesday at Miami, which could be a final audition to keep his rotation spot. He's 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA in seven starts.