Reds' big-picture gamble comes into focus as disappointing rookie replaces Wade Miley

On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds placed Wade Miley on the injured list with a left flexor strain and called up right-handed pitcher Connor Phillips. The former top prospect, however, has been working as a reliever at Triple-A Louisville, and will give Cincinnati some length out of the bullpen. So who's going to take Miley's place in the Reds starting rotation?

While some Reds fans would love to see Chase Burns get a shot, Cincinnati will instead turn to rookie hurler Chase Petty. The right-hander has already been called up twice this season, and has been underwhelming to say the least.

An interesting twist presents itself, however, as Sonny Gray is scheduled to toe the rubber for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday afternoon at Busch Stadium. If Petty indeed takes Miley's spot in the rotation, he'd be facing off against the very player he was traded for in 2022. This series just got turned up a notch, didn't it?

Reds' big-picture gamble comes into focus as disappointing rookie Chase Petty replaces Wade Miley

Gray was one of the first casualties of the Reds' 2022 rebuild. With Gray entering the final guaranteed year of his extension, the Reds decided to trade the veteran to the Minnesota Twins for Petty. Gray went on to finish second in the AL Cy Young voting in 2023, and the following offseason signed a three-year deal with the Cardinals.

Petty, a former first-round draft pick, has steadily been working his way up through the minor leagues and made his MLB debut as part of doubleheader on April 30 against (you guess it) the Cardinals. St. Louis lit Petty up like a Christmas tree and the rookie was pulled after just 2 ⅓ innings of work. The Cardinals won by a final of 9-1 and Petty was sent back to Triple-A.

Petty received another shot against the Houston Astros and failed to impress once again. He went just three inning and allowed four runs on six hits while walking six batters. His likely start on Saturday will be yet another chance for Petty to prove that he's ready for The Show. Since returning to Triple-A, Petty's made four starts and owns a 2.70 ERA with 17 punch outs and 10 walks in 16 ⅔ innings pitched. The Reds will need some length out of Petty given how overworked the bullpen has been of late.

Miley was coming off his best start of the season. The veteran left-hander was sidelined at the start of the season following Tommy John surgery in 2024. Miley struggled in his lone relief appearance, but went five innings on June 15 and struck out five batters while allowing just two runs. It would appear that he'll be out of commission until at least the All-Star break.

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