The Cincinnati Reds' starting rotation has hit a breaking point, and the team is turning to an unexpected source for help. Chris Paddack, a right-handed pitcher who was released by the Miami Marlins after going 0-5 with a 7.63 ERA this season, will make his Reds debut Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians.
"He had a tough time in Florida," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "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."
The signing underscores how far the Reds' once-deep starting pitching depth has fallen. When spring training opened, the rotation boasted at least seven pitchers with impressive big-league track records. Now, that group has been whittled down to just four — and that's counting with fingers crossed on Brady Singer's bruised foot.
The injury list reads like a nightmare for any pitching staff. Ace Hunter Greene is out until at least the All-Star break with an elbow issue. Brandon Williamson, who has battled shoulder and elbow problems over the past two seasons, landed on the 60-day injured list with "shoulder fatigue" at the end of April. Rhett Lowder, who missed all of last season with injuries, left his most recent start with shoulder discomfort and was moved to the IL to make room for Paddack on the 26-man roster.
Even prospect Chase Petty, who impressed in a spot start last week, couldn't take the Cleveland start due to a blister that developed in his last minor-league outing. And while Singer reported improvement after taking a comebacker off his foot Tuesday, Francona remains cautiously optimistic, noting the team will monitor his progress before his scheduled Sunday start.
As if that wasn't enough, Nick Lodolo is making just his second start of the season Wednesday after opening the year on an extended IL stint due to his own blister problems. For a team that once looked set with rotation depth, the Reds are now hoping a struggling journeyman can provide a spark — and maybe even catch fire.