Reds may have accidentally solved a pesky problem following Chris Paddack's strong debut

Results matter, so to call Chris Paddack's first start for the Cincinnati Reds anything other than a success would be disingenuous. The veteran right-hander made the equivalent of a spot start for the Reds last Saturday and was in line for the win before the bullpen gave the game away. Paddack totaled five innings, struck out three, and walked one while allowing two runs on six hits.

But Reds fans can't allow Paddack's performance this past weekend to overshadow the fact that he's little more than a journeyman starter who's on his fourth team in the last two seasons. Since 2025, he's 5-17 with a 5.67 ERA and 4.97 FIP.

Those types of stats might be enough to help bail the Reds' out of a injury-riddled stretch at this point in the season, but Paddack is hardly the type of pitcher who can be relied upon to be part of a playoff-caliber starting rotation. Nevertheless, there is another way who could help alleviate a pesky problem that's been haunting Cincinnati all season long.

Chris Paddack could evenutally transistion into the Reds bullpen

The Reds are currently without three of the projected starters. Hunter Greene, Brandon Williamson, and Rhett Lowder are all on the injured list, and Chase Petty is dealing with blister issue at Triple-A. Brady Singer is also battling a contusion on his right foot, and he appeared to be hampered during his previous start against the Cleveland Guardians.

In other words, the Reds have no choice but to run Paddack out there every fifth day. Nick Lodolo will start on Monday night in Philadelphia and be followed by Chase Burns and Andrew Abbott. The assumption is that Paddack will start Friday's home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

Both Greene and Williamson will be out for some time, but Lowder and Petty could be back in short order. When the Reds determine that one or both are ready to return to the active roster, Cincinnati should shift Paddack into the bullpen as the team's long reliever.

The Reds have struggled to cover innings in 2026. Connor Phillips, Graham Ashcraft, Brock Burke, Pierce Johnson, and Sam Moll all rank among the top 30 relievers in terms of appearances this season. Phillips, Ashcraft, and Burke have all cleared 21 innings of work through the first 47 games of the year.

Paddack is no stranger to pitching in relief. A starter by trade, the Detroit Tigers relied on the right-hander as a bullpen arm down the stretch in 2025. The only true long reliever Cincinnati has on their roster is Jose Franco, but it would seem that the Reds would much prefer to send him back to Triple-A Louisville and stretch him out as a starter.

For now, the Reds will need to keep Paddack in their rotation, but when the group returns to full strength, Cincinnati would be wise to hold onto the right-hander rather than just release him back into free agency.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow