If there was any doubt left that the Cincinnati Reds have reached the end of their once-formidable starting pitching depth it was eliminated this week when the Reds went outside the organization to sign a struggling journeyman who just got released by the Miami Marlins.
Right-hander Chris Paddack, signed May 13, makes his Reds debut Saturday in Cleveland.
“He had a tough time in Florida,” manager Terry Francona said, “and sometimes the hope is – well, one, we need a pitcher. And then the hope is he catches fire and gives us some help. Because we’ve all seen that happen.”
A starting rotation that included at least seven pitchers with impressive big-league track records when spring training opened had been whittled to four – 3 1/2 counting the fingers-crossed status of Brady Singer’s bruised foot — by the time Paddack got to Cincinnati.
Ace Hunter Greene (elbow) is out until at least the All-Star break. Brandon Williamson, who missed much of the past two seasons because of shoulder and elbow injuries, has been out since the end of April with “shoulder fatigue” and has since been transferred to the 60-day IL, with Greene.
Rhett Lowder, who missed all of last season with a pair of injuries, left his last start with shoulder discomfort and finally was subject to the inevitable IL move as the corresponding 26-man roster move for the addition of Paddack.
Even prospect Chase Petty, who pitched well in a spot start last week, missed a chance to take the Cleveland start because of the uncertainty of a blister that developed in his last minor-league start.
And even though Singer said the foot that got drilled by a comebacker Tuesday improved overnight and that he expects to make his next start on schedule Sunday, a “hopeful” Francona said the club still needs to monitor Singer’s progress between now and then.
And none of that even counts the fact that Nick Lodolo was making just his second start of the season Wednesday since a lengthy stretch on the IL to open the season because of his own blister issue.
“With Petty having the blister, there were a lot of unknowns (entering the weekend),” Francona said. “It’d be hard to find out during the game that maybe that blister wasn’t ready. So the guys went and figured it out and got him (Paddack) signed and got him here.”
The Reds aren’t the only team facing rotation deficits during this 2026 season of unusually high numbers of early-season pitching injuries across game. But the fact that Paddack was available when they most need a big-league arm seemed a welcomed circumstance for both parties.
“It was a quick (turn) of events, but I’m excited for this opportunity,” said Paddack, 30, who said the Reds called Tuesday, soon after he cleared waivers and was released by the Marlins.
“You look at my stats to start the season, and it’s not ideal, right? It’s never how we want to start. But that doesn’t define who you are,” said Paddack, who was 0-5 with a 7.63 ERA in six starts and a relief appearance for Miami.
“It’s pretty cool to see a group of guys like this – front office, coaching staff, players – saying ‘Hey, let’s give this guy a chance; we know what he’s capable of,’ “ he said. “And so far everybody’s welcomed me with open arms.”
That, of course, includes a manager who desperately needed the reinforcements, and who was quick to share just how high the stakes are this weekend as Paddack makes his Reds debut against the Guardians.
“I was worried,” Francona said, grinning. “That’s a (bleeping) Ohio Cup game. I said, ‘I don’t mean to heap pressure on you, but it’s a (bleeping) Ohio Cup game.’ “
It’s the kind of icebreaker Paddack expected during his introduction to Francona, based on conversations with old teammates such as Emilio Pagán and Pierce Johnson, who sang the praises of their manager.
“Talking to the guys, they said he’s a players’ manager, he’s a very approachable, very honest guy (in his) communication. As players that’s all we can ask for,” said Paddack. “That definitely put a smile on my face. … I’m excited for that (Cup) pressure.”
Paddack, a fastball-changeup pitcher in his eighth big-league season, has a career 4.79 ERA and 116 career starts.
To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher P.J. Higgins was designed for assignment by the Reds.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds hope struggling Chris Paddack ‘catches fire’ for depleted rotation
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
