CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Reds faced a notable deadline on Thursday, marking the end of negotiations to avoid arbitration hearings. Among the players who could not reach agreements on contract extensions are Tyler Stephenson and Graham Ashcraft, with reported discrepancies in their negotiations totaling less than $1 million combined.
In a turn of events, Brandon Williamson, a left-handed pitcher, was speculated to be arbitration-eligible but narrowly missed the Super Two cutoff by just one day. This is particularly significant considering that second baseman Matt McLain made his Major League debut just one day earlier, on May 15, 2023, while Williamson debuted on May 16, 2023, against the Colorado Rockies. As a result, McLain qualifies for Super Two status, allowing him to enter arbitration after two seasons instead of the typical three.
Williamson’s situation is compounded by his injury history. He missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn UCL, which required Tommy John surgery. In 2023, he recorded a 5-5 win-loss record with a 4.46 ERA over 23 starts, striking out 98 batters while allowing opponents to hit at a .248 average against him. The beginning of the 2024 season found him on the injured list due to a shoulder strain, sidelining him until September 1. Unfortunately, just four appearances later, he tore his UCL.
Williamson addressed his injury in a recent interview with reporter Mark Sheldon, stating, “I know what next year looks like. I just went through most of it this year. It’s my challenge now. It’s my career. I’m going to make the best of it. Pouting or being upset about it doesn’t help at all. I’ll just keep laying bricks.” He further elaborated on the unexpected nature of the injury, saying, “It kind of came out of nowhere. I hadn’t really been feeling anything in my elbow for, dare I say, my career.”
If Williamson can recover in time for the next season, he would provide the Reds with an additional option in their rotation, alleviating pressure on rookies Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns. The team has already faced challenges with the loss of pitchers Nick Martinez and Zack Littell. However, if both Williamson and fellow pitcher Julian Aguiar, who also suffered a UCL tear shortly after Williamson, can be ready for Spring Training, the Reds may find themselves in a stronger position.
For fans and analysts keen on following developments regarding the Cincinnati Reds, staying updated on player progress and team news will be crucial as the offseason unfolds.
