The Cincinnati Reds made official the return of righty Chase Petty on Monday. The 23 year old starter was recalled from AAA Louisville to start against the Chicago Cubs in the series opener between the National League Central rivals, taking the place in the rotation of the injured Brandon Williamson (who hit the injured list late last week with shoulder fatigue).
Zach Maxwell, who’s been well-travelled between the Reds roster and Louisville’s, was optioned to make way for Petty’s return. The Reds announced the move earlier on Monday.
The Reds are in Chicago on the back-half of a road trip that could not have gotten off to a worse start. They were absolutely drubbed in the first two games they played in PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates only for them to blow a Chase Burns gem in the series finale on Monday. As a result, they’ve slipped into a tie for 2nd in the Central with the Cubs two games ahead, and the Reds dismal -22 run differential is by far and away the worst in the division, to date.
In fact, it’s the same as the 14-21 Colorado Rockies and worse than the 13-21 Boston Red Sox, who sit dead last in the AL East. In other words, Cincinnati’s brilliance (luck?) in 1-run games, Sunday aside, is beginning to be a band-aid over cracks that are clearly showing in each of the offense, starting rotation, and bullpen.
For now, they’ll hope Petty can make the leap in this, his second year in which he’s logged big league innings. So far, he’s pitched to a 4.38 ERA at AAA at age 23, a mark that’s included a couple bad blips and some bouts of brilliance. He also pitched quite well in the spring, including in the Spring Breakout game, and hopefully that’s more who he is than the 22 year old kid who was shelled for 13 ER in just 6.0 IP in a trio of appearances with the Reds last season.
First pitch on Monday was moved up half an hour due to weather in the Chicago area, and is set for 6:10 PM CT (7:10 PM ET).
Here’s how the Reds will line up for the opener:
