Williamson tosses name back into rotation hat with solid return start

CINCINNATI -- While the Reds are still trying to win as many games as they can during what remains of the 2026 season, they're also trying to envision a 2027 starting rotation without the injured Hunter Greene.

That's where Brandon Williamson can come into the picture. Pitching for Cincinnati on Wednesday for the first time since April 29, Williamson has a chance for strong consideration.

“This is an important month for him, yeah," manager Terry Francona said before his team faced the Padres.

Williamson overcame early trouble and the Reds came away with a 7-3 win over San Diego that gave them their second straight series victory over a contending club. The left-hander put together 5 1/3 innings with three runs, seven hits and two walks while striking out five.

“It’s validating and I don’t feel like I’m done," Williamson said. "I don’t feel like getting back is enough to scratch the itch or feel that it’s over. I want to put together a full season.”

It looked dicey for Williamson during the first two innings as the Padres took a 3-0 lead, with all the runs coming with two outs. Following a leadoff single to center field by Fernando Tatis Jr. to begin the day, Ty France hit a 2-2 changeup for a two-out, two-run home run to the first row of seats in left field. Austin Hays hit a leadoff double in the second inning and came home on Tatis Jr.'s RBI single to left-center field.

“I thought his cutter was a good pitch. I thought his changeup was a good pitch," Francona said. "The first inning, I know it was a two-run homer, but that ball wasn’t killed. Balls were carrying today like crazy."

The second inning continued when Williamson walked Samad Taylor. But he escaped further damage when JJ Bleday made a nice running catch before hitting the wall, taking away an extra-base hit from Jackson Merrill.

Cincinnati picked up Williamson with four runs in the bottom of the second inning against Padres starter Casey Mize. Juan Brito, who was called up from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, hit his first Major League homer with a three-run drive to right field. With two outs, Héctor Rodríguez drove a solo homer to right-center field for the go-ahead run.

France opened the Padres' third inning with a single, but Williamson erased him with a double play and finished with a seven-pitch frame to begin a stretch of retiring eight in a row. A leadoff walk and infield hit opened the top of the sixth inning, but Williamson struck out debuting top Padres prospect Ethan Salas with a cutter on his 87th and final pitch.

Pierce Johnson took over and retired the next two batters to preserve the Reds' lead.

Williamson had a 6.11 ERA in six starts this season before going on the injured list with left shoulder fatigue. He pitched in five Minor League rehab assignment games before his activation on Tuesday.

Ever since his arrival to Cincinnati in the blockbuster 2022 trade that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez to the Mariners, arm injuries have been a big part of Williamson's story. Because of shoulder issues, he made only four appearances (three starts) in 2024 and then tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow that September. It required Tommy John surgery and cost him all of 2025.

Williamson had a superb Spring Training this year only, to be foiled by more shoulder problems one month into the season.

"Good for him coming back," said Tejay Antone, who returned from a third Tommy John surgery earlier this season and threw a scoreless seventh inning on Wednesday. "I know it was not an easy path for him. He’s had some hiccups along the way. I commend him. It’s a lot of hard work. I’ve watched him work hard. He did a great job today. It was awesome seeing him rifling strikes.”

Tommy John surgery is what's expected to keep Greene out until 2028. The Reds have Chase Burns, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder and Nick Lodolo, while Brady Singer could get a free-agent qualifying offer to return this offseason. But as the club painfully learned with injuries this season to Greene, Lodolo, Lowder and Williamson, there can't be enough rotation depth.

For the final month of 2026, Williamson is expected to piggyback behind Burns during the All-Star right-hander’s remaining starts, beginning Monday against the Dodgers.

“Any time you can pitch in the big leagues, it’s a big deal," Williamson said. "I’d say that there might be a little extra sense of urgency because I haven’t played. But I feel pretty good. I feel confident about what I can do.”