The Reds have bolstered their pitching employees in a number of methods this winter, making a qualifying supply to Nick Martinez (which the righty accepted), buying Brady Singer from the Royals and in addition bringing veteran southpaw Wade Miley again for a second stint as he finishes off the rehab from final April’s Tommy John surgical procedure. Even with these additions, Cincinnati continues to be looking out for extra arms so as to add to its beginning pitching combine, stories FanSided’s Robert Murray (video hyperlink). The membership has been trying to convey somebody in on a minor league deal/non-roster invite to camp, however Murray suggests huge league deal for one of many remaining free agent arms is not less than attainable.
Each left-hander Andrew Abbott and prime prospect Rhett Lowder are a bit not on time to date in camp for the Reds. Abbott has been on a slower buildup after his 2024 season was truncated by a shoulder pressure. Lowder had some elbow soreness pop up throughout his offseason throwing final month.
Neither Abbott nor Lowder is believed to be coping with any form of severe damage, however having a pair of rotation hopefuls not on time isn’t a super solution to begin camp. That’s very true given the prolonged damage historical past of fellow starter Nick Lodolo, who handled shoulder troubles as a prospect earlier than touchdown on the 60-day IL attributable to again and hamstring accidents in his first two MLB seasons in 2022-23. Lodolo prevented the 60-day IL in 2024 however was place on the 15-day IL on 4 events owing to calf, groin and finger accidents.
At current, the Reds’ rotation is fronted by Hunter Greene, with Singer, Martinez and Lodolo all however assured spots. Abbott could be the lead candidate for the opposite rotation spot if wholesome by Opening Day; he posted 138 innings of three.72 ERA ball final 12 months, pushing his profession totals to 247 1/3 innings with a 3.78 ERA, 22.4% strikeout fee and 9.2% stroll fee. The 2021 second-rounder has began 46 video games for the Reds over the previous two seasons and customarily seems to be to have solidified his place on the beginning employees.
Different rotation candidates for the Reds embrace Graham Ashcraft, Carson Spiers and Lyon Richardson. All three are on the 40-man roster. Ashcraft has had rotation alternatives in three completely different huge league seasons however hasn’t actually cemented himself as a starter in any of them. He’s additionally coming off a tough 2024 the place he was restricted to 77 1/3 huge league frames attributable to ache in his proper elbow. Spiers has a pleasant Triple-A monitor document, however the 27-year-old has been tagged for a 5.64 ERA in 103 2/3 MLB frames. Richardson has been torched in a a lot smaller MLB pattern (18 runs in 17 1/3 innings) however posted first rate ends in Triple-A final 12 months.
Connor Phillips can also be on the 40-man roster, however he’s coming off an 8.01 ERA in 19 Triple-A begins throughout which he walked greater than 15% of his opponents. Prime prospect Chase Petty isn’t on the 40-man however held his personal within the higher minors final 12 months (4.20 ERA, 22.4 Okay%, 10.2 BB%). If he can proceed at that tempo and even enhance upon it, he’ll in all probability make his debut in some unspecified time in the future in 2025.
The free agent market has been largely picked over, however veterans Jose Quintana, Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn and Spencer Turnbull are all unsigned. Outdated associates Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wooden are looking for rebound efforts and stand as potential NRI candidates.
