Williamson (3-3) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 7-3 victory over the Padres. He struck out five.
Activated from the 60-day IL earlier in the day after recovering from shoulder trouble, the southpaw looked like he was headed for a quick exit in his first big-league start since late April after he served up a two-run homer to Ty France in the first inning and allowed another run to cross the plate in the second. Williamson settled in after that, however, and gave his offense a chance to get rolling, eventually leaving the mound after 87 pitches (58 strikes). The Reds plan to have him work in tandem with Chase Burns next time through the rotation to help lessen the young righty's workload, which would set Williamson up to make his next appearance on the road early next week against the Dodgers.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Spot start on tap Wednesday
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Reds manager Terry Francona said that Williamson (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Padres in Cincinnati, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Williamson has been deemed ready to rejoin the big club after wrapping up a six-appearance rehab assignment, during which he compiled a 5.94 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 14:12 K:BB across 16.2 innings. In his final outing with Triple-A Louisville last Thursday, Williamson covered 4.1 innings and 84 pitches, setting him up to handle a traditional starter's workload when he makes his first appearance for the Reds since April 29. The 28-year-old lefty isn't expected to be in store for any starts beyond Wednesday, however, as Francona noted that he plans to have Williamson piggyback starter Chase Burns in the latter pitcher's future turns through the rotation for the remainder of the season. The arrangement may put a cap on Williamson's overall workload, but it should aid his chances of picking up wins, especially if Burns is limited to fewer than five innings in his starts.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Will make sixth rehab start
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Williamson (shoulder) will make a sixth rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports.
Williamson had a couple of short appearances during his rehab, including a rain-shortened outing, which suppressed the buildup of his pitch count and likely led to a sixth rehab start. The left-hander sports a 5.11 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 12.1 rehab innings.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Makes fifth rehab start
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Williamson (shoulder) allowed one run on four hits and four walks while striking out five over four innings for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.
It was Williamson's fifth rehab appearance and fourth with the Bats. He faced adversity throughout his four innings Saturday but managed to limit the damage. The left-hander upped his pitch count to 75 (41 strikes), which indicates a return to the majors could be on the horizon.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Reaches fourth inning in rehab outing
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Williamson (shoulder) struck out two and allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks across 3.2 innings in a rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Louisville.
Taking the hill for the fourth start of his rehab assignment, Williamson built up to 63 pitches (47 strikes) and induced seven whiffs while averaging 92.7 mph with his four-seam fastball. The Reds will likely decide on Williamson's next step within the next couple of days, but the left-shoulder shouldn't need more than one more tune-up outing in the minors before returning from the 60-day injured list. With Rhett Lowder performing well over the past month as the Reds' No. 5 starter, Williamson may not have a path to the rotation once he's activated and could have to settle for a long-relief role.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Rehabbing at Triple-A Louisville
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Williamson (shoulder) will make his next rehab start at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
Williamson, who began a rehab assignment last week with a two-inning outing for Double-A Chattanooga, will be making his third rehab start and second for Louisville. He'll be targeting around 60 pitches in Tuesday's outing, after he allowed four runs on two hits and two walks while recording two outs his last time out for Louisville.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Williamson (shoulder/finger) allowed one earned run on two walks and no walks while striking out three over two innings in a rehab start for Double-A Chattanooga on Saturday. The left-hander also hit a batter.
Williamson, who was placed on the injured list April 30 due to left shoulder fatigue, kicked off a rehab assignment Saturday. After battling some control issues in the first inning, Williamson settled in during the second frame before leaving the contest after tossing 39 pitches. The southpaw will look to build on that workload during his next rehab outing, which is expected to come Thursday with Triple-A Louisville, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Expected to face hitters Wednesday
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Williamson (shoulder) is scheduled to face hitters Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Williamson, who injured his finger while rehabbing the shoulder in late June, has been throwing bullpen sessions at the team's training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. Wednesday's scheduled live batting practice session represents the next step in the left-hander's progression.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Injures finger in rehab
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Williamson (shoulder) injured his finger while working out, and his rehab program has been pushed back by about 10 days as a result, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
The shoulder injury that sent Williamson to the injured list April 30 remains the primary concern. By the time Williamson completes a rehab assignment and is ready to return from the 60-day IL, the Reds likely won't have a rotation spot available to him, as Hunter Greene (elbow) is expected back from the shelf during the upcoming week.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Exits with shoulder fatigue
Rotowire
Williamson was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rockies with left shoulder fatigue, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Williamson made it through just three innings before coming out of Wednesday's game, giving up four earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four batters. It's currently unknown whether the shoulder issue will cause the Reds to postpone his next start or move him to the IL, but he's slated to receive an MRI on Thursday that will help determine his short-term availability.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Shaky in loss to Tampa
Rotowire
Williamson (2-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were downed 6-1 by the Rays, coughing up five runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.
A third-inning solo shot by Junior Caminero marked the only extra-base hit off Williamson, but the southpaw has trouble putting hitters away and tossed 54 strikes among his 87 pitches. He's failed to last five frames in three of his five starts so far this season, producing a 5.40 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 15:16 K:BB over 25 innings, With Nick Lodolo (blister) getting close to making his 2026 debut, Williamson's time in the rotation could be nearing an end.
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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: Sharp in final tuneup
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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
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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
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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.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Faces hitters Wednesday
Rotowire
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: 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: Diagnosed with elbow strain
Rotowire
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: 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: Set to return Sunday
Rotowire
Williamson (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start in Sunday's game against the Brewers, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Williamson has been on the shelf all season after suffered a shoulder injury in spring training. He began a rehab assignment in May, but he was pulled off of it in early June after being diagnosed with a Bennett lesion in his left shoulder. Williamson opted to treat the injury with injections rather than season-ending surgery, and after a lengthy shutdown period, he finally resumed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, tossing 50 pitches over 2.2 scoreless innings. The Reds apparently saw enough from Williamson in that outing to bring him back from the IL, but he's still expected to be operated on a limited pitch count as he toes the rubber for the big club for the first time Sunday. Williamson could need two outings before he's fully stretched out to handle a typical starter's workload. As a rookie with Cincinnati in 2023, Williamson posted a 5-5 record with a 4.46 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 98:39 K:BB over 117 innings.
