3 options to replace Hunter Greene if the Reds flamethrower misses his next start

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It is not a good time for one of the Cincinnati Reds pitchers to miss his next start. But that could very well be a possibility after Hunter Greene exited Monday's game after a hot-shot clipped him in his right leg.

Greene was struck on the shin by a come-backer in the third inning of Monday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays. Greene finished the inning, but was then removed and replaced by reliever Buck Farmer.

While the x-rays were negative, the possibility remains that Greene could miss his next start with a lower leg contusion. If Greene misses his next start, who'll get the call?

1. If Reds RHP Hunter Greene misses his next start, Chase Anderson could replace him.

After seeing how much Luis Cessa has struggled lately, Chase Anderson's name has come up early and often as a possible replacement. Anderson may well get a call, but it could be to replace Hunter Greene instead.

Cessa allowed nine runs in the first inning during his previous start, and the idea of the right-hander starting another game is not a popular one. However, if Greene is out, the Reds may have no choice.

Chase Anderson came to Cincinnati late last season and had moderate success with the club. He was invited back this spring on a minor-league deal and was assigned to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season. Anderson has gone 15 innings and has 13 punch outs in three starts along with eight walks.

Obviously, adding Anderson would be little more than a stopgap. However, if Hunter Greene is only forced to miss one or two starts, the Cincinnati Reds could phase Luis Cessa out of the rotation. Cessa could then be replaced by Anderson once Greene returns and keep the seat warm for one of the team's top pitching prospects.

2. If Reds RHP Hunter Greene misses his next start, Brandon Williamson could replace him.

Reds fans are excited to see Cincinnati's top pitching prospects make their major league debuts this season. Among those prospects is Brandon Williamson. The left-hander came over in the trade last March that sent both Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker to the Seattle Mariners.

Williamson was given every opportunity during spring training to secure a spot in the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation and he failed miserably. Williamson pitched so poorly that Connor Overton and Luis Cessa were given the job over him.

Williamson posted great numbers in 2021, but has struggled to command his pitches since coming to the Reds organization. In 2022, Williamson posted a 4.11 ERA, 4.60 FIP, 22.2-percent strikeout-rate, and 13.9-percent walk-rate per FanGraphs.

To begin this season at Triple-A Louisville, Brandon Williamson has not done anything to make the Reds coaching staff see that he's ready for the big leagues. Williamson has allowed 11 runs on 17 hits this season with nine walks, 10 strikeouts, and has allowed three home runs in three starts.

Williamson is on the 40-man roster and is certainly an option, but based off the numbers he's produced thus far in Triple-A, Cincinnati might be better rolling with a bullpen-game if Hunter Greene is only going to miss one start.

3. If Reds RHP Hunter Greene misses his next start, Levi Stoudt could replace him.

This may be the best option the Cincinnati Reds have if Hunter Greene is going to miss more than one start. Levi Stoudt, who also came over from the Seattle Mariners last season, had a great spring until his final start in the Cactus League.

Stoudt has started three games at Triple-A Louisville so far this season and has 10 strikeouts in 11 inning pitched. Unfortunately, just like Brandon Williamson, Stoudt has nine walks as well.

A deeper dive into the three starts will show that Stoud really only had one bad game (April 12th at Toledo) where he allowed four runs on five hits including two gopher balls. Stoudt logged 8.1 innings in his previous two starts and allowed just one earned run.

That said, Stoudt has walked three batters in each of his three starts. Stoudt's xFIP, according to FanGraphs, is 6.58 and his FIP is 8.05. Those don't exactly scream major leaguer. In fact, it outlines the need for Stoudt to stay in the minors a bit longer.

Levi Stoudt does a better job of locating his pitches than Brandon Williamson, but he right-hander is currently sitting on a BB/9 of 7.36 and a walk-rate of 18.0-percent. His K/BB-rate is 2.0.

The hope, of course, is that Hunter Greene's injury doesn't linger and that the flamethrower can return to the bump for his next start. However, if he's no ready to go, the Cincinnati Reds will need to make a decision.

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