Why tonight could be Luke Weaver's last start in a Reds uniform?

Buckle up, Reds fans! Luke Weaver will get the ball once again for the Cincinnati Reds. But will tonight's start against the Miami Marlins be Weaver's last in a Reds uniform?

Weaver has been pretty bad for quite some time. The right-hander's last outing lasted just three innings and he was tagged with four earned runs. Weaver did record five punch outs during that start, but also walked four batters.

If you're looking for a silver lining, I'm sorry. I've got nothing for you. It seems like every time Weaver take the hill something's amiss. Whether it's walks, home runs allowed, or an inability to go deep into a games, Weaver just seems to struggle every time he steps onto the mound.

Will tonight's start be Luke Weaver's last in a Reds uniform?

For those of you wanting this to be the very last time you see Luke Weaver in a Cincinnati Reds uniform, I've got bad news. It won't be. The Reds will probably eventually transition him into a relief role. However, there's an outside chance this could be Weaver's final start as a member of the Reds.

With Weaver on the hill tonight, and an off day on Thursday, the Reds will run out Graham Ashcraft for tomorrow's series finale against the Miami Marlins, and then Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson will pitch in two of three games in Pittsburgh.

It's not yet known who'll take that fifth spot in the starting rotation. It could still be Lyon Richardson, but Brett Kennedy, Levi Stoudt, or Connor Phillips could the start as well.

The Reds then get another off day on Monday which would allow the Reds to skip Weaver's next start and replace him with Ashcraft who would on his normal four days of rest against the Cleveland Guardians the next Tuesday. That fifth starter would then be able to toe the rubber on Wednesday.

The Reds then receive another day off on Thursday of next week before beginning a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at home. It's assumed that Hunter Greene will be back for that series.

If that's David Bell's plan, then perhaps tonight will be Luke Weaver's final start in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. The veteran could then piggyback off Lyon Richardson or whoever may take that fifth spot in the rotation until either Ben Lively or Nick Lodolo returns from the injured list.