The Cincinnati Reds have made a key roster adjustment, placing right-handed pitcher Carson Spiers on the 15-day injured list due to a lingering shoulder issue.
Spiers, who has been dealing with discomfort in his throwing shoulder since spring training, was scheduled for an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.
Initially called up from Triple-A Louisville to cover for Nick Lodolo—who’s on paternity leave—Spiers was set to start Sunday’s game against the Orioles.
However, his plans quickly shifted when he was pressed into action on Saturday to relieve a depleted bullpen.
Over four innings, Spiers threw 94 pitches, 52 of them strikes, but allowed four runs, including two home runs.
His outing ended with three strikeouts and four walks, contributing to a 9–5 loss in Baltimore.
Reds manager Terry Francona shed light on the situation postgame, explaining that Spiers had been trying to tough it out for weeks.
Trainers flagged the concern, and Spiers finally admitted that the discomfort had been bothering him since preseason.
Francona expressed both admiration for the pitcher’s grit and frustration over the lack of early transparency, emphasizing that while competitiveness is valued, the team’s long-term health takes precedence.
For Spiers, the nagging pain becomes more noticeable during throwing sessions, though he says it dulls temporarily during games when adrenaline kicks in.
However, once the game ends, the discomfort returns. “It’s frustrating,” Spiers admitted. “But I’m hoping the MRI gives us some answers, and from there we can figure out the next steps.”
Through the early part of the 2025 season, Spiers has appeared in three games, including two starts, and has posted a 6.08 ERA with 11 strikeouts and seven walks over 13 1/3 innings.
Since debuting in 2023, he’s built a career stat line of 5–10 with a 5.69 ERA across 29 games, including 14 starts.
To fill the roster spot, the Reds have brought up right-hander Randy Wynne from Louisville. At 32 years old, Wynne is considered a late bloomer in the majors.
His only big league appearance came in 2023, when he pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief, giving up one run on three hits. Now, with Spiers sidelined, Wynne gets another shot to prove himself at the highest level.