Reds DFA Luke Weaver, clear roster spot for Hunter Greene

Say what you will about Luke Weaver, but he gave the Cincinnati Reds several starts when needed. However, with Hunter Greene ready to return this weekend, his spot in the rotation was no longer needed.

Quite frankly, Weaver overstayed his welcome about a month ago. The Reds inked Weaver to a one-year contract during the offseason, and with so many injuries to Cincinnati' starting rotation, manager David Bell needed somebody to pitch every fifth day.

Greene was dealing with a hip issue, Nick Lodolo has been nursing a calf injury, Ben Lively has been on the injured list twice, and even Graham Ashcraft spent time on the IL. Like it or not, sometimes, Weaver was the only guy available to pitch.

Reds news: DFA Luke Weaver, clear roster spot for Hunter Greene.

With Luke Weaver no longer part of the Cincinnati Reds active roster, the team can activate Hunter Greene from the 60-day IL. A corresponding move will need to be made, and most likely, Alan Busenitz will be sent back to Triple-A. The right-hander was recalled today to fill Weaver's spot.

Greene has steadily been working his way back to form. The flamethrower made his fourth rehab start on Tuesday night and tossed over 80 pitches while getting 18 swings and misses. Look for Greene to take the mound for Cincinnati's series finale on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Even with Greene back in the hold, that still leaves the Cincinnati Reds with just four starters. However, Ben Lively is readying to return from the IL as well, and Nick Lodolo shouldn't be too far behind. The Reds rotation is nearly back to full strength.

The Reds are on the outside of the playoff picture at the moment, but with Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Tejay Antone, and Vladimir Gutierrez readying to return from the injured list, perhaps Cincinnati will make a late-season push and return to the postseason for the first time since 2020.