WASHINGTON − The MLB trade deadline revealed a lot about the Cincinnati Reds, and one of the most important things to emerge was a reminder of starting pitcher Brady Singer’s value.
After winning 14 games and making 32 starts for the 2025 Reds team that went to the postseason, Singer’s numbers lagged through the first half of 2026 as he quietly pitched through ailments, including the lingering effects of a finger blister and the aches that accompanied being struck by batted balls.
Even through his physical challenges, Singer seldom if ever spoke of what ailed him. The severity of a comebacker that struck him in a May 12 game against the Washington Nationals was only revealed because Singer hobbled to the lectern for his post-game news conference at Great American Ball Park. With the swelling in plain sight, he basically had to acknowledge he couldn’t put weight on his right foot at that moment.
Still, Singer was back out on the mound five days later. He posts, as they say in baseball, and posts reliably in a sport where many are worn down by the grind of 162 games.
“He takes so much pride in posting that there was never an issue,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “Some guys, you just kind of − when I say ‘don’t worry’ it doesn’t mean you don’t care − you just know they’re gonna figure it out. That’s just who he is. It’s good.
“He was a little beat up for a while but he takes an immense amount of pride in posting − being accountable.”
Lately, he’s been posting with a healthier body. Results have followed. Entering play Aug. 9 against the Nationals, Singer had a 3.53 ERA and six quality starts in his last 10 outings.
Some thought his upturn might make him a compelling trade asset at the deadline, but when a reasonable deal didn’t materialize, Cincinnati was just as happy to keep Singer. If Cincinnati extends him a qualifying offer in the offseason and it’s accepted, his time with the Reds could continue.
In the meantime, Cincinnati’s young staff could be benefitting from the 30-year-old Singer’s example, although Francona said, “I don’t care if it’s a staff of older guys. It’s good.”
Keep in mind the Reds staff features the 23-year-old Chase Burns, who the Reds are hoping to steer through a full season, and several others yet to survive a season from beginning to end. Hunter Greene, whose entire 2027 season could be under threat when he undergoes elbow surgery next week, hasn’t started more than 26 games in a season.
Andrew Abbott made 29 starts in 2025, and Nick Lodolo made 28 starts and 29 appearances.
Singer’s latest post was yet another quality start − three runs allowed on eight hits. It wasn’t flashy but it very well might have been good enough for a win had Cincinnati’s bats shown up.
Facing a sweep, the Reds’ bats went quiet in a 7-1 loss at Nationals Park. Washington won five games from the six-game season series against Cincinnati.
Singer didn’t even have his best stuff, Francona said, but still gave Cincinnati a chance.
“I didn’t think he had his best slider today, and early on, even his velocity looked like it was down a couple ticks early,” Francona said. “But kind of like Brady, you look up after six and he battled and fought and scratched and gave up three, and gave us a chance. I’m saying that as a compliment because I didn’t think he had his best stuff today.”
Cincinnati managed six runs over the course of the series on 16 hits and six walks. In the Aug. 9 series finale, the Reds’ Dane Myers drove in a run via a sacrifice fly in the top of the second inning.
That run represented Cincinnati’s only lead during the the series, and it was short-lived as the Nationals took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame.
The top three hitters in the Reds’ batter order − Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart and JJ Bleday − combined to go 2-for-12 on the day and 5-for-33 in the series with three walks.
“That’s a tough ask because they’re not gonna hit every game. That’s just the way it is,” Francona said. “When they don’t, it get a little more glaring. They had a bullpen day today and I thought we kind of started chasing. Trying to hit everything… Instead of being stubborn enough to sit on something, we tried to hit everything and kind of played into their hand.”
Washington piled on insurance runs after Singer exited, adding one run off reliever Brock Burke and three off Tejay Antone.
The Reds entered the series leading of Washington in the National League wild card race but departed Nationals Park 1.5 games behind the Nationals. Cincinnati also fell back into last place in the NL Central division.
“You go through stretches, obviously, like this, or bad series like this,” Singer said. “We’ll just keep pushing. Take the off day (Aug. 10), enjoy it and get back after it against the White Sox.”
Next up for Reds | A trip to Chicago to face Southsiders
Cincinnati will look to its series against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field to bounce back from an overall disappointing weekend against the Nationals. The White Sox are scheduled to host the Reds for three games Aug. 11-13.
Nick Lodolo (3-2, 4.60 ERA) will make his return appearance from an injured-list stint in the series opener against Chicago. Lodolo once again found himself battling finger blisters, which has been a reoccurring theme for him for years. Rhett Lowder (4-7, 5.26 ERA) is scheduled to start the middle game of the series, and Andrew Abbott (6-7, 3.92 ERA) is scheduled to take the series-finale matinee.
The White Sox hadn’t announced their scheduled starters for the series as of Aug. 9.
At 60-56 entering play Aug. 9, Chicago’s modest record was good enough for the club to lead the American League Central division. Beyond that, the White Sox were in line for a first-round bye in the postseason, but that spoke to the fact that the AL has so far had a down year.
Chicago is 35-22 at Rate Field in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds waste Brady Singer’s latest quality start, Nationals sweep series
Reporting by Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
