Reds Pitcher Reaches Major Milestone in Comeback From Tommy John Surgery

Reds pitcher Carson Spiers took a major step in his recovery on Monday, making his first rehab appearance with High-A Dayton since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2025.

Spiers allowed two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings, striking out four without issuing a walk. The right-hander threw 66 pitches, with 48 going for strikes.

The results are obviously secondary at this point. The biggest positive is that Spiers was able to get back on the mound in a game and build his pitch count up to 66 pitches in his first rehab appearance.

It has been a long road back for Spiers, who underwent Tommy John surgery last year and was later designated for assignment by the Reds before re-signing with the organization on a minor league deal.

Spiers has spent parts of three seasons with Cincinnati, posting a 5.69 ERA across 29 appearances. The 28-year-old has filled multiple roles during his time with the Reds, working both out of the bullpen and as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Cincinnati originally signed Spiers as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson in 2020 after the MLB Draft was shortened to five rounds because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It seems unlikely that Spiers will make it back to the Reds this season, but simply seeing him healthy and back on the mound is an encouraging step as he continues working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

You can watch highlights of his start here.

A Wild Matt McLan Stat

Aug 22, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain (9) high fives Cincinnati Reds third base coach Willie Harris (99) after hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Matt McLain’s solo home run Saturday night against Dennis Santana was the 44th home run of his career, and remarkably, all 44 have come against different pitchers. McLain is just the third player in Reds history to begin his career by homering off 44 different pitchers, joining Elly De La Cruz, who did it with his first 45 home runs, and Tucker Barnhart, who accomplished it with his first 44.

Hector Rodriguez Will Never Forget This One

Reds outfielder Hector Rodriguez delivered the first home run of his major league career Saturday night against the Diamondbacks, belting a solo shot off Zac Littell. Rodriguez is the only Reds player to hit his first career home run this season, becoming the 87th player in the majors to accomplish the feat in 2026.

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