Reds set to recall Petty, then Lodolo; Dunn called up 

PITTSBURGH -- Amid multiple roster moves on Sunday, the Reds will have some more transactions affecting their rotation in the coming week.

Starting pitcher Chase Petty will be recalled from Triple-A Louisville to take the ball and start on Monday vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The right-hander is taking the spot vacated by Brandon Williamson, who went on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with left shoulder fatigue.

Petty, Cincinnati's No. 7 prospect, is 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA in six starts this season for Louisville. He last started on Wednesday at Omaha and threw 62 pitches over 2 1/3 scoreless innings. He will be working on four days' rest.

“This is his regular turn," manager Terry Francona said. "He's been pitching much better on the extra day [of rest], so that's why they took him out early the other day -- to try and mimic that as much as you can."

Petty, 23, had a rough first exposure to the big leagues in 2025 over a couple of callups. He was 0-3 with a 19.50 ERA in three games (two starts). But he made a strong showing at Spring Training this year, including retiring 12 of 13 batters over four scoreless innings during his Spring Breakout start vs. Giants prospects.

Scheduled to fly to Chicago on Sunday, Petty will be joined by Nick Lodolo after the left-hander threw 79 pitches over 4 1/3 innings for Louisville in a rehab assignment start at Omaha.

Lodolo, who has been on the IL because of a blister on his left index finger that developed in his final spring start on March 22, is being targeted for activation on Friday. He would be making his 2026 debut vs. the Astros at Great American Ball Park.

“He threw 16 or 17 sliders, which I think is the biggest thing," Francona said. "He didn’t command great early, but he got up to a pretty high pitch count and he got a little fatigued, which is good -- I think you kind of want to see that.”

Sunday's moves

In moves made on Sunday, reliever Pierce Johnson went on the bereavement list, with reliever Zach Maxwell being recalled from Louisville after he had just been optioned on Saturday.

Outfielder Rece Hinds was optioned to Louisville, and outfielder Blake Dunn was recalled to take his spot. After being recalled on April 14, Hinds began with a 0-for-12 hitless stretch before batting .121 with no homers in 12 games.

“When we got Rece here, we kind of wanted him to have a little bit of runway to play. And then when we stopped playing him, then all of a sudden we’re like, ‘OK, he’s sitting,’ and that’s probably not what he needs -- even for our team and for him," Francona said. "So Dunner can play all three [outfield spots], probably a little better defender. Plus,he’s been playing and not been sitting, so I think he’s got a chance to be a guy that’s sharper.”

Dunn was batting .277/.365/.353 in 29 games at Louisville this season. After making his big league debut in 2024, he opened 2025 on the Reds' roster and batted .150 in 30 games before going back down to Louisville. He batted .291 with a .798 OPS over 98 games there last season.

“I think I’ve just continued to build off last year and Spring Training," Dunn said. "Just trying to stay in the moment pitch-to-pitch, game-to-game and all that stuff. Just going out there, being confident and having fun and just trying to find any possible way to help the team win.”

Dunn was promoted over Noelvi Marte, who was optioned to Louisville on April 13 but has hit well there. Marte entered Sunday batting .400 with an 1.113 OPS and three homers and was recently named the International League's player of the week.

“He had a real good week. I think we want to see [JJ] Bleday play a little bit," Francona said. "Sometimes you don’t just bring up the guy who had the best week. I know Noelvi has been here, and he will be back, but letting him play is not a bad thing.”