This pitcher needs to take Connor Overton's next start for the Reds

This cannot continue. The Cincinnati Reds sent Connor Overton to the hill on Friday night and the right-hander made it only three innings before being yanked from the game.

Overton is now 0-1 with an ERA of 11.35 in three starts. His longest outing of the year went just four innings and he's allowed at least five hits and four earned runs each time he's toed the rubber thus far in 2023.

Essentially it's become a bullpen game nearly every time Overton is on the hill. The Reds sent Kevin Herget in for 2.2 innings on Friday. He was followed by Reiver Sanmartin who logged 38 pitches in 1.2 innings of work. Fernando Cruz picked up the pieces over the final 1.2 innings remaining and threw 34 pitches.

The Reds need Chase Anderson to take Connor Overton's next start.

Sorry, Connor Overton, but you had your chance. The Cincinnati Reds gave Overton an opportunity to secure a spot in the starting rotation during spring training. Were it not for an injury to Luke Weaver, it's likely Overton's 2023 season would have began in the bullpen or possibly even Triple-A.

It's time for the Reds to do the right thing and option Overton to the Louisville Bats. In the same transaction, Cincinnati could recall Chase Anderson. Anderson has started two games for Triple-A Louisville this season.

While the results have not been great, Anderson would provide a veteran presence on the roster and the right-hander did have some solid outings in 2022. In two starts at Triple-A this season, Anderson owns a 3.60 ERA with nine punch outs and six walks in 10 innings of work. Opponents have hit just .222 off the 35-year-old.

Quite honestly, this move could be made today with Anderson serving as a reliever rather than a starter. After relying on the trio of Kevin Herget, Fernando Cruz, and Reiver Sanmartin to each throw more than 30 pitches on Friday night, David Bell's relief corps will be short on arms on Saturday afternoon.

The Cincinnati Reds could insert Chase Anderson, who hasn't pitched since April 8th, into the bullpen, and then recall Luke Weaver next week to take Connor Overton's spot in the starting rotation. Weaver made his second rehab start on Friday night, going five innings, striking out five batters, and allowed three runs to cross home plate.

At the end of the day, Reds fans want to see the duo of Brandon Williamson and Levi Stoudt occupy those last two spots in the Cincinnati rotation. Unfortunately, neither has pitched well to this point in 2023. Both Williamson and Stoudt have made three starts each. The pair of pitching prospects have combined to allow 25 hits, 16 runs, 18 walks, and struck out 20 batters in 23.1 innings of work.