Cincinnati Reds: Vladimir Gutierrez should take Luis Castillo’s next start

Mar 9, 2021; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez pitches. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Reds starter Luis Castillo is struggling mightily. Removing him from the rotation is not the answer, and a trip to Triple-A Louisville to “get it right” would only hurt his already fragile psyche. The best course of action Reds’ manager David Bell could take is giving Castillo a week off and give the ball to Vladimir Gutierrez on Friday.

Castillo is a shell of his former self. The right-hander got rocked Opening Day and has just one quality start in seven trips to the hill. La Piedra is sitting on a 6.42 ERA and has only 26 strikeouts through…