Young hasn’t pitched this spring due to elbow pain and went back to Cincinnati last weekend to determine whether he’ll require Tommy John surgery. The 31-year-old lefty was in camp as a non-roster invitee. With stopper Alexis Díaz dealing with mechanical issues after battling a knee issue in camp, his absence definitely hurts the Reds’ middle relief depth.

Young returns to Cincinnati, where he spent parts of the last two seasons, just a few months after being non-tendered by the Mets. The 31-year-old southpaw, who boasts a respectable 4.34 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 239/106 K/BB ratio across 277 2/3 innings (177 appearances, 25 starts) in the big leagues since 2019, provides the Reds with some additional relief depth entering spring training.

Paul Blackburn was tendered in spite of the back surgery that has him as a question mark for Opening Day. Young had a 3.29 ERA in 14 appearances for the Mets after being claimed off waivers from the Giants in July. The journeyman has a 4.34 ERA in 277 2/3 innings for five major leaguer teams over six seasons.

Young loses his spot because the Mets wanted to add Joey Lucchesi to start tonight. He pitched 14 times in three stints with the Mets, amassing a 3.29 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.