Reds had a clear way to protect Chase Petty and totally whiffed

Cincinnati Reds rookie Chase Petty struggled on Sunday against the Houston Astros. His first major league start ended after just 2 ⅓ innings against the St. Louis Cardinals two weeks ago, and Sunday's start in Houston was done after three-plus innings. The Reds, however, had plenty of notice that Hunter Greene wasn't going to be available to pitch and should've turned to Andrew Abbott on his normal four-days rest rather than throwing Petty to the wolves.

Petty's first start was an emergency. The doubleheader against the Cardinals two weeks back was unavoidable. Cincinnati needed an extra arm and turned to the rookie while hoping for the best. But on Sunday, there was a clear alternative.

Abbott last pitched on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves — a game in which he struck out eight batters over five innings without allowing a run. Rather than sending Petty out to the mound against an extremely patient Astros' lineup, Cincinnati should've tabbed Abbott to toe the rubber on Sunday. Doing so would've allowed Petty to get his second major league start against the lowly Chicago White Sox on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park.

Reds should've started Andrew Abbott against the Astros rather than Chase Petty

It's obvious to anyone watching that Petty isn't ready to be relied upon every fifth day, but the Reds keep running him out there anyway. Petty allowed four runs on six hits over three innings on Sunday at Daikin Park against the Astros. He threw a total of 90 pitches, struck out four batters, and walked six. Ninety pitches over three-plus innings? What in the world are the Reds doing?

In his two major league starts, Petty has now walked 22.2% of the batters he's faced, allowed three home runs, and is watching hitters tee off to the tune of a .464 batting average against. If you wanted a clear illustration of how to crush a young man's confidence, the Reds are giving you a clear-cut example of how to do just that.

This was an avoidable situation and the Reds botched it big-time. Sadly, Petty will likely head to the hill at least one more time. Greene isn't able to return from the IL until May 18 at the earliest, meaning Cincinnati will need a fifth starter later this week against the Cleveland Guardians.

Injuries to Greene, Wade Miley, Carson Spiers, and others have put the Reds in this position. Their depth is being tested. But skipping Abbott's start on normal rest in favor of a rookie who got shelled his last time out was a major blunder on the part of Nick Krall and the Reds front office.

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