Projecting the Reds Opening Day 25 man roster

The Reds won't need 5 starting pitchers to start the season, so like last year, I expect 11 pitchers and 14 position players for the first 3 weeks or so. Here's the roster I'd expect:

OF-(6)
Gomes, Stubbs, Bruce.
Reserves-Heisey (CF, LF, RF), Lewis (LF), Hermida (RF)*
*-This is the only question spot. I'd personally like to see this last position spot go to Yonder Alonso if he's playing a more reasonable LF by the time camp breaks. He can also back up Votto at first, as right now the only other 1B options are Cairo and Hernandez. However, this is Dusty Baker, lover of all veterans, so expect Hermida. Oh, and Hermida can only play RF. Give me reserves who are versatile....please.

IF-(6)
Rolen, Janish, Phillips, Votto.
Reserves-Cairo (3B, 2B, 1B), Renteria (SS, 2B)

C-(2)
Hernandez (1B), Hanigan

SP-
Volquez, Arroyo, Wood-L*, Bailey
*-I expect Cueto to start on the 15 day DL. That would be 2 weeks to recover and another week for rehab starts, which roughly corresponds with the need for the 5th starter. His injury helps make the last SP slot argument moot.

RP-
Cordero, Chapman-L, Masset, Burton, Arredondo, Bray-L*, Willis-L*
*-Okay, I'm projecting both Bray and Willis go North which may not happen because there really isn't a "long man" in this pen. However, who's the loogy (lefty one out guy) if not Willis? Bray isn't (he's actually better against RH in his career), and Arredondo had one good year, one TJ surgery ago, to look at where he dominated lefties. And he's right handed. Willis is the only one who looks like a one out specialist. You sure as heck don't want to waste Chapman in that role.

In this set up, you could let the first three weeks play out before making any roster moves. Cueto will not require another pitcher to be moved when he comes up. But if Bailey, or one of these other relievers don't pitch well, Mike Leake and others are waiting in Louisville.

I'd rather have the flexibility of extra lefties than a dedicated "long man". Either way, you have to be excited about the arms at the end of this bullpen. If they can throw strikes, they are going to shorten a lot of games for a team that can absolutely repeat as division champs.