Terry Francona's comments have Reds fans bracing for another season-ending injury

It's been a difficult season for the Cincinnati Reds in terms of injuries. Prior to the start of the season, two of the Reds young arms were already ticketed for the 60-day IL. Both Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar are recovering from Tommy John surgery and won't be back on the mound until 2026. Based on Terry Francona's recent comments, Carson Spiers may be joining them.

“There is some concern about some elbow issues, ligament issues,” Francona told reporters following Spiers' MRI earlier this week. “He’s going to get another opinion. It’s not cut and dried. But there is some concern.”

Spiers, who's been on the IL since April 20, was returned from his most recent rehab assignment with the Louisville Bats following a bout of biceps soreness. The right-hander has been shutdown from throwing and is seeking a second opinion before deciding how to proceed.

Terry Francona's comments likely mean Reds RHP Carson Spiers is headed for season-ending surgery

With Andrew Abbott shelved to begin the 2025 season, Spiers landed a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster. He was 0-2 on the season with a 6.08 ERA and started two of the three games in which he pitched before landing on the IL. Last season, Spiers was used as a spot starter and long reliever, logging 90-plus inning and posting a 5.46 ERA in 22 appearances.

But it would seem that Spiers' return to the active roster is now in serious doubt. The Reds have also been without their ace, Hunter Greene, though there is hope that the flamethrower will return to Cincinnati's starting rotation sometime in August.

One now wonders if Spiers' latest setback will push Cincinnati's front office to add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Outside of Chase Petty, who's struggled mightily at the big-league level this season, the Reds don't have much starting depth at Triple-A Louisville.

A healthy version of Greene would go a long way toward calming the front office's fears as it relates to the starting rotation. Abbott, Greene, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, and Nick Martinez would be a formidable quintet over the second-half. The Reds could then move Chase Burns, who's on an innings-limit, back to the minor leagues and help preserve him for a potential October run.

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