Wade Miley's exit is good news for Reds prospects Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo

The hits just keep on coming, don't they Reds fans? On Friday afternoon, the Cincinnati Reds waived pitcher Wade Miley. The southpaw was then claimed by the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubbies will be on the hook for Miley's $10M salary in 2022. If Miley can replicate his 2021 performance, that contract will look like a bargain.

Apparently, Reds GM Nick Krall attempted to trade Miley over the past few weeks but couldn't find any takers. That seems a bit odd considering Miley put up a 12-7 record, 3.37 ERA, and threw a no-hitter in 2021.

Reds prospects may find their way into the rotation.

But, Wade Miley's departure will now provide an opening in the Reds 2022 starting rotation. We'll most likely see Hunter Greene or Nick Lodolo fill that void next season.

We've been hearing about Greene ever since he was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Greene's fastball is elite. The right-hander can consistently hit 100-MPH on the radar gun.

Greene's minor league career has been filled with twists and turns. The flamethrower suffered an elbow injury in 2018, missed the entire 2019 following Tommy John surgery, and the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season.

Greene returned to the mound last season, however, and showed no ill effects from his time away. Greene dominated at Double-A Chattanooga, going 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA over 41 innings.

His sterling performance with the Lookouts earned Greene a promotion to Triple-A Louisville where he posted a 4.13 ERA while punching out 79 batters over 65.1 innings of work.

As for Nick Lodolo, all the No. 7 overall pick in 2019 did was see Hunter Greene's performance at Double-A, and better it.

Lodolo went 44 innings, struck out 68 batters in 10 starts, posted a 1.84 ERA, and 13.91 K/9.

Blisters on his pitching hand and shoulder soreness limited Lodolo's workload in 2021, but all signs point to the left-hander being ready to go in spring training.

With Wade Miley now on the North Side of Chicago, the Reds starting rotation consists of Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, and Vladimir Gutierrez.

Reiver Sanmartin got two starts at the end of the 2021 season, and the lefty will likely be in the mix for a starting spot as well.