Reds may have no choice but to trust volatile prospect if Brady Singer lands on IL

Cincinnati Reds starter Brady Singer did not look like himself on Wednesday night against the Miami Marlins. He allowed six runs on 10 hits and was removed after just 2⅔ innings. Moreover, his velocity was down nearly 2 mph. Singer's four-seamer was sitting at or below 90 mph and his command was all over the map.

Singer spoke after Wednesday's loss and didn't make any excuses, telling Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith, “The finger feels fine. (The ball) just isn’t coming out as well as I want to, for sure. But the blister is totally fine.”

Singer is known for his durability, but his dip in velocity, lack of command, and a blister issue that nearly kept him off the Opening Day roster could necessitate a quick trip to the injured list to help him get things right. But with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo already on the IL, the Reds aren't really in a position to lose another starting pitcher.

Reds would likely recall Chase Petty if Brady Singer hits the IL

If Singer lands on the IL, the most logical choice to replace him would be Chase Petty. The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A to begin the year, and has faired well in two of his three starts this season.

Petty went 4⅔ innings in his first start of 2026, allowed just four hits, and struck out eight batters. His next start was one he'd just as soon forget. The 23-year-old was pulled after just 1⅔ innings, having allowed seven runs on five hits. Petty's latest start looked more his first of the season. He logged six innings and struck out nine while allowing just one hit.

Petty's 2025 audition was forgettable. He made three appearances and allowed 14 runs on 14 hits while covering just six inning. Petty had more walks (8) than strikeouts (7), and looked completely overwhelmed on a Major League mound.

Petty isn't the only option the Reds have if Singer lands on the IL. Lodolo is working his way back from a blister issue, but it's assumed that Cincinnati will give him more time to heal before activating him off the IL. Julian Aguiar is also on the 40-man roster, but he's struggled in his first three starts at Triple-A this season. Aguiar has allowed 10 hits and 11 runs in his last two outings.

Singer isn't due to start another game until the Reds return home next week. After burning through a number of relievers on Wednesday night, however, Cincinnati could decide to place Singer on the IL and activate a reliever from Triple-A.

A pitcher like Zach Maxwell or Luis Mey could help cover some extra innings through the weekend, and the Reds could then activate Petty — or another starter — when Singer's turn through the rotation comes up again.