The Cincinnati Reds have placed left-handed starter Brandon Williamson on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder fatigue, following an MRI on Thursday morning. Manager Terry Francona provided a positive update, stating, "Structurally it came back good. He will go on a shoulder program for range of motion, strength, all that stuff."

Williamson, 28, was pulled after just three innings in Wednesday's 13-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies, where he allowed four runs on four hits, walked four, and struck out four. This season, he holds a 2-3 record with a 6.11 ERA in six starts, marking his return after missing all of last season due to left elbow surgery in September 2024.

The lefty earned a spot on the Opening Day roster when fellow southpaw Nick Lodolo landed on the IL with a blister on his left index finger. Francona acknowledged that some challenges were anticipated for Williamson: "When he made the club, because he pitched so well in the spring, we were all concerned that, OK, it's going to be every five or six days, there's going to be some hiccups."

Despite these pitching setbacks, the Reds (19-11) are off to their best 30-game start since 2006. They've managed this success while missing starters Hunter Greene and Lodolo, and with Andrew Abbott struggling to a 6.59 ERA in six starts. Greene has begun throwing and is projected to return in July, while Lodolo likely needs one more rehab start before activation. Right-hander Zach Maxwell has been recalled from Triple-A to provide depth. As Francona noted, "We've got a lot of moving parts."