Reds' pitching prospect promoted amid MLB trade deadline rumblings

The MLB trade deadline is barely a week away, and while the Cincinnati Reds haven't made a move yet, the team did promote one of their top pitching prospects ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves.

The Reds called up former second-round pick Lyon Richardson and optioned right-hander Casey Legumina back to the minor leagues. The promotion marks the Richardson's first time back in the big leagues since last October.

Richardson has spent the entire 2024 season down at Triple-A Louisville. As part of the Bats' starting rotation, Richardson is 1-6 with a 4.43 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 19 games including 18 starts. Richardson has recorded 76 strikeouts in jsut over 83 innings pitched.

Reds' prospect Lyon Richarson promoted amid MLB trade deadline rumblings

Richardson was an odd addition to the Reds' 40-man roster two winters ago, but as it turned out, the right-hander was needed down the stretch last season. Richardson made four starts for Cincinnati last summer after the team was hit with a flurry of injuries. The 24-year-old logged 12 strikeouts over 16.2 innings of work and posted an 8.64 ERA.

Adding Richardson to the roster gives the Reds some depth with Nick Martinez taking the hill at Truit Park tonight in Atlanta. Reds manager David Bell tabbed Martinez as the starter, but having not been stretched out, it's doubtful that this winter's free agent acquisition will go much past three innings.

The Reds can then turn to Richardson and a host of other relievers after Bell only needed the trio of Hunter Greene, Fernando Cruz, and Alexis Díaz to keep the Braves at bay on Monday night. Cincinnati will be looking for a series win on Tuesday after an embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Washington Nationals to open the second-half of the 2024 season.

While it's unlikely that Richardson will remain with the team much past Carson Spiers' return from the IL, the right-hander's performance may help to influence the Reds' trade deadline plans as rumors suggest Cincinnati may be looking to move some of their relievers.

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