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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Command issues in no-decision
Rotowire
Williamson did not factor into the decision in the Reds' 7-3 win over the Angels on Saturday. He allowed three runs on three hits and six walks while striking out three across four innings.
Williamson struggled with his control during Saturday's start. He allowed at least two baserunners in each of the four innings he pitched, which ran up his pitch count to 93 with only 49 strikes and nine whiffs. This performance was reminiscent of Williamson's season debut against the Pirates on March 31 during which he surrendered six runs, but the left-hander did notch a quality start versus the Marlins on April 6. Even with the command concerns, he could remain in the rotation until Nick Lodolo (finger) is activated from the 15-day injured list. Williamson is tentatively projected to start next week on the road against the Twins.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Dominates Miami during win
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Williamson (1-1) earned the win Monday against the Marlins, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out four over 6.2 scoreless innings.
Williamson turned in a strong bounce-back performance, keeping Miami hitless into the fourth inning and consistently getting ahead in counts. It was a massive leap forward from his season debut, where the left-hander was hit hard for six runs (including three homers) over 4.2 innings. Williamson came within one out of reaching a career-high in innings pitched, underscoring just how efficient he was on the mound Monday. The 28-year-old will look to carry this momentum into his next scheduled start against the Angels, and outings like this should strengthen his case for a permanent spot in the rotation.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Rude welcome in 2026 debut
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Williamson (0-1) was the losing pitcher Tuesday when he allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in an 8-3 loss to Pittsburgh.
Williamson was roughed up by the Pirates in his first big-league start in 560 days. The left-hander avoided damage in the first inning, when he gave up a single and a walk to the first two batters, but the Pirates eventually got to him in the second. A three-run home run from Ryan O'Hearn and a solo blast by Bryan Reynolds highlighted Pittsburgh's five-run frame. "Obviously I threw a few too many heaters over the plate," Williamson told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "Hindsight 20/20, I throw something else or locate it a little bit. Really the three-run shot was the dagger." Williamson later gave up a third home run in the fourth inning. He's scheduled to make his next start April 6 against the Marlins, but Williamson did little to suggest he'll keep his spot in the rotation once Nick Lodolo (finger) is cleared to make his season debut.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Plans changing
Rotowire
Williamson will start the fifth game of the regular season, March 31, against Pittsburgh, Rich Rovito of MLB.com reports.
Williamson was planned to be part of a three-pitcher grouping that would occupy the fourth and fifth rotation spots, but that plan changed. The Reds need to adjust to being without Nick Lodolo (blister), who will open the regular season on in the injured list. That paves the way for Williamson, Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder to each have their own spot in the rotation to begin the season.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Sharp in final tuneup
Rotowire
Williamson allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out two over 5.1 innings in Friday's spring start against the Cubs.
Williamson retired the first seven batters he faced and kept the Cubs scoreless through four innings by inducing a couple of double-play groundouts to end the third and fourth innings. The left-hander finished off a promising spring training, having posted a 1.65 ERA with 15 strikeouts and three walks over 16.1 Cactus League innings. Williamson will be part of a unique three-starter unit, along with Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, that will occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the Cincinnati rotation.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Wins roster spot
Rotowire
Williamson was informed by the Reds that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports
The Reds have given a roster spot to Williamson along with fellow starters Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories and/or lack of experience. Williamson went down with a full UCL tear in his left elbow in Sept. 2024, which required Tommy John surgery. With the southpaw securing an Opening Day roster spot, he will look to take the mound for the first time in a regular season game since going under the knife.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Could win rotation spot
Rotowire
Williamson could win a spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Williamson threw four shutout innings in Sunday's spring training game and has a 1.64 ERA with a 13:2 K:BB over 11 innings so far.
Williamson's stat line is nice enough, but also Chase Burns isn't quite extended out like the Reds would have hoped for, nor is his range of mobility where they'd like it, which could give them the impetus to keep Williamson. Williamson missed all of the 2025 season after having Tommy John elbow surgery in September of 2024.
Williamson (elbow) faced hitters in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
The left-hander has no restrictions to begin camp after he missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Williamson will get the chance to compete for a spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation this spring, but he still has two minor-league options remaining and seems more likely to begin the season at Triple-A Louisville.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Throwing program paused
Rotowire
Williamson (elbow) recently began throwing from a mound at the Reds' training facility in Goodyear (Ariz.) but has returned to Cincinnati, MLB.com reports.
The report indicates Williamson was told to "throttle back," which suggests the stress of throwing from a mound was too much for the left-hander. He'll be with the Reds for the week to play catch and participate in workouts. Williamson is recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent last September and is not expected back until 2026.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Heads to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Reds placed Williamson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Williamson is set to miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September, so his move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Austin Wynns, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Louisville.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Shifts to 60-day injured list
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The Reds transferred Williamson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Ian Gibaut, who was activated from the 60-day IL. Williamson is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, which is likely to sideline him until 2026.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Requires Tommy John surgery
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Williamson said Wednesday that he has a full UCL tear in his left elbow and will require Tommy John surgery, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Williamson's comments came shortly after the Reds placed him on the 15-day injured list earlier Wednesday. The southpaw had been on the shelf for most of the season due to a shoulder problem, but he avoided surgery and was cleared to make his 2024 debut for the Reds on Sept. 1 after making just one rehab start. He produced a 3.77 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB across 14.1 innings in four starts with the Reds before he ultimately strained his elbow in Tuesday's 6-5 win over Atlanta. A date for Williamson's elbow surgery hasn't been set, but he'll miss the entire 2025 season while he embarks on an arduous rehab process.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Done for season with strained elbow
Rotowire
The Reds placed Williamson on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left elbow strain.
Williamson exited his start Tuesday against Atlanta because of the injury, and it has now officially ended his season. The left-hander also missed much of the campaign with a Bennett lesion in his left shoulder, ultimately opting to treat that injury with injections rather than surgery. It's not clear at this point whether an offseason operation for either injury might be on the table.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Diagnosed with elbow strain
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Williamson left Tuesday's game against Atlanta with a left elbow strain, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Williamson suffered the injury after throwing a pitch in the second inning of Tuesday's contest and had to be taken out of the game immediately afterward. The Reds haven't specified the severity of his injury, but if the team elects to place the left-hander back on the injured list, his season would be put to an early end after just four starts.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Exits with trainer
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Williamson was removed from his start Tuesday against Atlanta with an apparent injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Williamson appeared to be grabbing at his left elbow after making a pitch in the second inning of Tuesday's contest. The specifics of his injury won't be known until the Reds are able to take a closer look at him, but the 26-year-old southpaw may be at risk of missing even more time after sitting out the first five months of the season due to a shoulder issue.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Gives up one run to Cardinals
Rotowire
Williamson allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Wednesday.
Williamson completed five innings for the first time in his three appearances (two starts) since he returned from a shoulder injury that cost him five months to begin the year. He's been good so far, allowing four runs (three earned) over 13 innings while posting an 11:3 K:BB. The lone blemish on his line Wednesday was a solo home run by Nolan Arenado. Williamson is tentatively projected to make his next appearance at home versus Atlanta.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Allows one run in bulk role
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Williamson did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over 4.2 innings against the Mets. He struck out one.
The Cincinnati southpaw relieved opener Fernando Cruz in the second frame and fired 60 pitches in this performance. Williamson pitched into the sixth inning before being relieved by Buck Farmer, who allowed an inherited runner to score. Williamson has made two appearances since making his season debut and returning from a shoulder injury, pitching to a 3.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 6:1 K:BB across eight innings. He currently lines up to make his next outing against the Cardinals in St. Louis, but it is unknown whether he will start or serve as a bulk reliever.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Fans five in season debut
Rotowire
Williamson did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over Milwaukee, allowing two earned runs on four hits and zero walks while striking out five in 3.1 innings.
Working his way back from a shoulder injury that sidelined most of the season, Williamson made his 2024 debut Sunday after just one rehab start in the minors. The 26-year-old impressed early on, retiring the first seven batters he faced and logging a strong second inning during which he struck out the side. Williamson slowed down as the game progressed, allowing a sacrifice fly in the third and a solo home run to Willy Adames in the fourth before departing after 66 pitches. Williamson displayed impressive control Sunday, throwing 44 of his 66 pitches for strikes en route to a flawless 5:0 K:BB. The southpaw started 23 games for Cincinnati as a rookie last season, going 5-5 with a 4.46 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 98:39 K:BB in 117 innings.
