Reds Starter Throws Two Scoreless Innings in Rehab Start

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson made his third rehab start on Tuesday night. The left-hander tossed two scoreless innings for Triple-A Louisville, but the game was postponed due to rain after the second inning.

Williamson gave up two hits, walked a batter, and struck out a pair. He threw 19 of his 31 pitches for strikes.

What is Next for Williamson?

Apr 22, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) pitches during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Williamson likely needs another rehab start or two to continue to build up his arm after only throwing 31 pitches on Tuesday night. Chase Burns is thought to be on an innings limit, although nobody knows exactly what that limit is. If that is the case, Williamson would be the likely candidate to replace the All-Star starter in the rotation.

The two other options would be for Williamson to pitch out of the bullpen for the Reds or to stay in Louisville and continue to start until he's needed in the rotation.

It'll be interesting to see what the Reds elect to do with him.

Emilio Pagan Loved 14-Pitch Strikeout in Save on Tuesday

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) cheers after striking out Tommy White for the final out of the ninth inning of the MLB Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Athletics at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026 The Reds won the second game of the series, 3-2. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

After the Reds scored a run in the top half of the 10th inning in Tuesday night's win over the White Sox, Emilio Pagan was called on for the save. The first batter he faced, Sam Antonacci, battled for 14 pitches before Pagan finally struck him out.

Antonacci fouled off nine pitches during the at-bat, forcing Pagan to use his entire arsenal in an effort to put him away. Finally, on the 14th pitch, Pagan painted a fastball up and in for strike three to win the battle.

After the game, the veteran reliever was asked if that type of at-bat is frustrating as a pitcher.

“Never,” Pagan told MLB.com's Zach Sweet. “I threw some really good pitches up and away, which is kind of my go-to whiff pitch. Got the breaking ball in on him, he fouled that off too. Laid off a split off the plate. I kind of threw him everything I had.”

Pagan has not given up a run in his last nine appearances. He's given up just four hits and has not walked a batter over that time. Cincinnati's bullpen is a big reason the Reds have been playing better baseball of late and Pagan is a huge part of that.

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