Reds News: Chris Paddack rejects assignment, Hunter Greene rehab, Steele Hall surging

The Cincinnati Reds reshuffled their roster earlier this week, and right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack was one of the casualties. The Reds promoted Julian Garcia from Triple-A Louisville on Monday, and in order to make room on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati designated Paddack for assignment. On Wednesday, the veteran rejected the assignment and elected free agency.

Paddack was an emergency add to the Reds' roster earlier this spring after Rhett Lowder landed on the injured list. At the time, Cincinnati was already without Hunter Greene, Brandon Williamson, and Nick Lodolo. Lowder's injury forced the front office to go outside the organization, and Paddack became the Reds' temporary solution.

Paddack began the year with the Miami Marlins, but was released after going 0-5 and posting a 7.63 ERA across 30⅔ innings pitched. His tenure with the Reds didn't yield much better results. Prior to Monday's dismissal, Paddack was 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA. He covered 22⅓ innings of work for the Reds, while striking out 12 batters and walking nine.

Reds News: Hunter Greene scheduled for one more rehab start

Paddack's decision to enter free agency was made all the easier given that Hunter Greene is one step closer to returning from the injured list. Cincinnati placed their star pitcher on the 60-day IL before the season began after he underwent arthroscopic surgery to have loose bodies from removed from his right elbow.

Greene made his second rehab start of the year for the Louisville Bats on Tuesday. He went four innings, struck out three batters, and didn't allow a run. The plan is to send Greene out the mound one time for the Bats on Sunday, and if all goes well, he should be back in the Reds' rotation for next weekend's series against the Baltimore Orioles.

Reds News: Top prospect Steele Hall is off to a hot start

The Reds' first-round selection from last year's draft is off to a rip-roaring start in the Arizona Complex League. Steele Hall, whom the Reds chose with the No. 9 overall pick last July, is hitting .311/.414/.574 with eight home runs, 34 RBI, and a 126 wRC+ through his first 38 games in the ACL this season.

Hall reclassified for last year's draft and was one of the youngest players selected. Most outlets consistently rank Hall among the top-100 prospects in all of baseball, but power was not one of his strengths coming out of high school. If this surge in power isn't a mirage, the Reds might be sitting on a future star.

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