Cincinnati Reds: Needing pitching immediately, newly-signed veteran Chris Paddack to start Saturday in Cleveland

May 14—Needing starting pitching depth due to a slew of injuries, the Cincinnati Reds have signed veteran starting pitcher Chris Paddack.

In seven appearances with the Miami Marlins this year, he posted a 7.63 ERA before being released as the team moved forward with younger starting pitchers.

Over the last two weeks, the Reds have lost three starting pitchers to injuries.

Rhett Lowder tried to grind through shoulder discomfort but was experiencing a "clicking." Chase Petty exited his most recent Triple-A start with a blister issue. Brandon Williamson will miss two-plus months with a shoulder injury.

Paddack will start for the Reds on Saturday.

"There were some unknowns going into Saturday," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "With Petty having that blister, a lot of unknowns. It'd be hard to find out during the game that the blister wasn't ready. So the guys went and figured it out and got Paddack signed."

Reds sign veteran pitcher as free agent

The Cincinnati Reds signed right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack to a one-year contract on Wedn...

Also, Hunter Greene is expected to be out until July due to an elbow issue. Depth starter Julian Aguiar has also been on the injured list in Triple-A for over a month.

The Reds' internal options for their fifth starter spot were going with bullpen games every fifth day moving forward, or calling up a minor league journeyman like Brandon Leibrandt, who pitched in China last season.

Recognizing a pressing need, the Reds acquired Paddack. He has made 116 career starts. Last year, while he posted a 5.35 ERA, he made 28 starts and appeared in 35 games. He was valued enough that a Detroit Tigers team that went on to make the playoffs traded for him at the deadline. Entering 2026, Paddack signed a $4 million deal with the Marlins, but struggled in his seven appearances.