Williamson's elbow strain dulls shine of dramatic win

CINCINNATI – A patchwork Reds rotation that had found its groove this month after a rough August of injuries was dealt new disappointment on Tuesday, even in victory.

That's because starter Brandon Williamson grabbed his left elbow on a second-inning pitch and exited the game vs. the Braves. The diagnosis of an elbow strain took some of the buzz off of the celebration from a 6-5 come-from-behind win over the Braves at Great American Ball Park.

“You hate to see it for Brandon," Reds manager David Bell said. "He’s been pitching so well. He’s had his share of injuries, so we’re just fingers crossed that it’s nothing. It’s definitely enough to come out of the game and we’ve got to take a close look at it tonight and into tomorrow, so we’ll have more info tomorrow.”

Williamson, who allowed three earned runs and three hits with two home runs over only 1 1/3 innings, seemed to be laboring from the very beginning of the night. It included a 34-pitch top of the first inning and Michael Harris II's leadoff homer to right-center field.

Three batters later, with one out, Williamson's 2-0 pitch to Matt Olson was launched to right field for a two-run homer and a 3-0 Atlanta lead. Williamson issued back-to-back two-out walks before striking out the inning's eighth batter, Gio Urshela.

In the second inning, Williamson needed 10 pitches before leadoff hitter Orlando Arcia popped out. After his 2-1 pitch to Harris -- his 48th of the game -- was fouled off, Williamson grabbed his arm and spent several moments talking with trainer Sean McQueeney and Bell before walking off the field and into the dugout.

Williamson, who opened the season on the injured list with a left shoulder strain, endured a summer setback when a Bennett lesion -- or a mineralization of a posterior ligament -- developed in his shoulder. He opted for injections and therapy instead of season-ending surgery -- a decision that appeared to pay off nicely.

A rehab assignment lasted only one start before Williamson was rushed back to bolster an injury-depleted Reds rotation with a start on Sept. 1. He came in with a 2.08 ERA in three games (two starts) before Tuesday's outing raised it to 3.77.

"It’s been a tough year," Reds left fielder Spencer Steer said. "He did a great job when he came back and was lights-out. To see him exit the game early tonight with what appears to be another injury, you just feel for the person."

It was Steer's two-run home run to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning that completed the comeback after Cincinnati trailed Atlanta, 5-1, in the top of the fourth.

Steer now has 20 homers and 25 steals for his first 20-20 season, joining Elly De La Cruz (24 homers, 64 steals). It's the first time since Barry Larkin and Eric Davis in 1996 that the Reds have had a pair of teammates reach the 20-20 mark in the same season.

“I’m just trying to show up every day and take at-bats for this team and help the team win," Steer said. "I think that’s why I showed so much emotion after that homer. I felt like it was a big spot. I feel like I’ve kind of not been the guy I’ve needed to be for this team.”

Williamson is scheduled to undergo a follow-up MRI on Wednesday, Bell noted. With only 10 games remaining, and the Reds out of postseason contention, there likely isn't time for a prolonged effort to get him back this year.

The bad news about Williamson came on the heels of good news for injured starter Hunter Greene, who threw 52 pitches in a simulated game over three innings earlier in the day. The Reds were targeting Greene, who has been on the injured list since mid-August because of a sore right elbow, to return on Sunday against the Pirates.

Cincinnati lost Greene, Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott to the IL all during the previous month. After relying heavily on the bullpen to get through some games, the rotation found some footing again with Williamson, Nick Martinez, Jakob Junis and rookie prospects Rhett Lowder and Julian Aguiar.

With Williamson also in their plans for 2025, the Reds will be keeping their fingers crossed for good news.

"I hope it’s nothing too serious," Steer said. "The innings he has thrown this year, he’s looked really, really good.”