Reds prospect Connor Phillips likely to make major league debut against his former team

The Cincinnati Reds have lost 60-percent of their starting rotation to the COVID-19 IL and Graham Ashcraft just landed on the 15-day IL with a toe injury.

The Reds are already without Nick Lodolo and Justin Dunn. Both pitchers have already been shutdown for the season. Cincinnati is also without Connor Overton.

The Reds are in desperation mode. Lyon Richardson took the ball for Cincinnati during Game of Friday's doubleheader and Andrew Abbott got back on track on Saturday night. Brandon Williamson was just placed on the COVID-19 IL, so Carson Spiers will get the ball on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs.

Connor Phillips likely to make Reds debut versus Mariners.

The Cincinnati Reds have lost every single pitcher who was part of their Opening Day starting rotation. So top pitching prospect Connor Phillips will get his chance this week. But don't expect that start to come on Sunday for the Reds series finale against the Chicago Cubs.

Phillips last pitcher for Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, August 31st. The right-hander tossed six scoreless innings of three-hit baseball while walking just one batter and striking out six. That's a welcome improvement from Phillips' last start when he surrendered six runs without getting out of the second inning.

But, in order to keep Phillips on normal rest, expect his major league debut to come on Tuesday afternoon against his old team. The Seattle Mariners come to town beginning on Monday and will play three game at Great American Ball Park.

Phillips was a Competitive Balance Pick of Seattle during the pandemic-shortened 2020 MLB Draft and came to the Queen City as a player to be named in last spring's trade that saw Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker join the Mariners.

This coming week has the chance to be quite special for Connor Phillips. Command and control have been huge question marks for Phillips all season. And now in the midst of a playoff chase, the right-hander will be asked to face one of the hottest teams in baseball.