Cincinnati Reds links – Pitching depth dealt blow with veteran lefty’s departure

The veteran left-hander, recovering from Tommy John surgery, signed a minor league deal with the Reds this past offseason. He began his rehab in late April, making three appearances with the High-A Dayton Dragons before moving up to Triple-A Louisville for four more outings. Across those seven games, he gave up 19 earned runs over 19.1 innings—numbers that reflect some rust as he worked his way back into form.

However, performance wasn’t the deciding factor in his departure. Miley had a June 1 opt-out clause in his contract that allowed him to explore other opportunities if he wasn’t added to the Reds’ major league roster. With Cincinnati’s rotation currently set, they chose not to promote him, and Miley elected to move on in search of a starting role elsewhere. As Mark Sheldon of Reds.com reported, the former Reds no-hitter hurler will now test the market.

This could prove to be a loss in terms of rotation depth. If Miley returns to form later in the season, he could still be a valuable innings-eater for a team down the stretch. While the Reds’ current rotation looks solid—knock on wood—it’s filled with pitchers who have struggled to stay healthy over full seasons.

Hunter Greene has never thrown more than 150.1 innings in a year and already had an IL stint this season. Nick Lodolo has a history of varied injuries, and Andrew Abbott missed time with shoulder issues. Brady Singer and Nick Martinez have been more durable, but Cincinnati will likely need several spot starters throughout the 162-game season.

Complicating things further, promising arms like Rhett Lowder and Carson Spiers are dealing with injuries—Lowder has an oblique strain, and Spiers remains sidelined. Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar are both recovering from Tommy John surgery and likely out for 2025. Meanwhile, Graham Ashcraft and Lyon Richardson have shifted to bullpen roles.

That’s a lot of lost depth, raising questions about whether the Reds might consider calling up 2024 first-round pick Chase Burns—especially with others from his draft class, like Jac Caglianone, already reaching the majors. Burns, who just earned Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors, may not be a promotion candidate yet according to GM Nick Krall, but the conversation is likely underway.

With Chase Petty struggling in two recent Triple-A outings—6 runs (4 earned) in 6.1 innings—the Reds don’t have many inspiring internal options.

Now sitting three games below .500 and staring down a tough stretch of elite opponents, Cincinnati might soon face a crossroads. If the offense doesn’t turn things around, they could shift from buyers to sellers, potentially trading players like Martinez or Singer to reload for the future. The front office’s conservative spending habits only make that scenario more plausible.

As for Miley, he was a first-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008 out of Southeastern Louisiana University. Only eight pitchers from SE LA have made it to the majors, including familiar faces like Miley, Tanner Rainey (known from the “Tanner Trade”), and Mac Sceroler. Rainey was just designated for assignment by the Pirates—maybe a Reds reunion is in the cards? They did have a 40-man roster opening… at least until recently.

On that note, the Reds officially added left-handed reliever Joe La Sorsa to their 40-man roster. Like Miley, La Sorsa had an early June opt-out in his contract. Rather than risk losing him, the Reds added him and then immediately optioned him back to Triple-A Louisville—filling their last 40-man spot.

And with that, another day, another roster shuffle. Happy Tuesday, everyone—here’s hoping the Reds can take it to the Brewers and keep us from having to talk trade-deadline sell-offs just yet.