Cincinnati Reds fans are in for an intriguing matchup as pitcher Brandon Williamson returns to the mound at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday evening. This marks his first appearance since September 17, 2024, when he exited a game against the Atlanta Braves after just 44 pitches due to a severe elbow injury. That injury required Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2025 season.
Fast forward to now, Williamson has impressed during spring training, earning a coveted spot on the Reds' Opening Day roster. It’s a testament to his hard work and determination, and something he can certainly be proud of.
However, Williamson's place on the roster might be short-lived. He’s set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, but with Nick Lodolo expected to return from the injured list soon, Williamson's future in the rotation is uncertain.
Lodolo, a former first-round pick, was dealing with a blister issue that kept him off the Opening Day roster. He's slated to throw a side session on Tuesday and, if all goes well, will make a rehab start at High-A Dayton on Thursday.
With his IL stint backdated, Lodolo could be activated as early as April 7. This timeline coincides with the Reds' upcoming road trip to Arlington and Miami, potentially impacting Williamson's role.
Andrew Abbott is scheduled to pitch on Wednesday, April 1, followed by Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder, and Chase Burns in the series against the Texas Rangers. This sequence leaves room for Williamson to possibly get one more start before Lodolo's return.
Manager Terry Francona faces a decision: stick with the current rotation or shuffle things to give Abbott an extra day of rest, which could open the door for Williamson to pitch again. The performance of the Reds' starters in the coming days will be crucial in determining who stays and who goes when Lodolo is ready to rejoin the team.
While Abbott and Singer have secured their spots, Williamson could be the odd man out, though it's not a done deal. The Reds might opt to send down Lowder or Burns instead, depending on how things unfold.
For now, all eyes will be on Williamson as he takes the mound. His stellar spring training performance has set high expectations, and the Reds are hopeful that he can carry that momentum into the regular season.