The Cincinnati Reds have recalled right-handed pitcher Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville to start Monday’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 23-year-old will take the rotation spot of Brandon Williamson, who was placed on the injured list late last week with shoulder fatigue. To make room on the roster, reliever Zach Maxwell was optioned back to Louisville after frequent trips between the two clubs this season.

This is a pivotal moment for Petty, who struggled in his brief major league debut last season, allowing 13 earned runs over just 6.0 innings across three appearances. However, he has shown promise this spring, including a strong performance in the Spring Breakout game, and has posted a 4.38 ERA at Triple-A, marked by a mix of rough outings and flashes of brilliance. The Reds are hoping the more polished version of Petty shows up in Chicago.

The timing couldn’t be more critical. Cincinnati is on the back half of a road trip that started disastrously, getting drubbed in the first two games against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park before blowing a gem from rookie Chase Burns in Sunday’s series finale. That loss dropped the Reds into a tie for second place in the NL Central, now two games behind the Cubs. Their minus-22 run differential is the worst in the division—tied with the 14-21 Colorado Rockies and worse than the 13-21 Boston Red Sox. While Cincinnati has thrived in one-run games, that luck is starting to look like a band-aid over cracks in the offense, rotation, and bullpen.

Petty will look to help stabilize a rotation that needs a spark. First pitch was moved up half an hour due to weather in the Chicago area, so get ready for an early start at Wrigley. Can the young righty take the next step and give the Reds a much-needed win? All eyes are on him.