Brandon Williamson will open the season on the injured list because of a sore left (throwing) shoulder. Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell made the announcement today (Tuesday).
The Martin County West graduate left his most recent start on Sunday vs. the Cleveland Guardians after two innings.
“He just needs to take a step back and get the soreness out,” Bell said. “We decided to take Opening Day out of consideration and see what happens.”
Williamson dealt with some shoulder issues during the 2022 Minor League season.
“He doesn’t want to go through that again,” Bell said. “That was part of the reason that we tried to take care of that now.”
Williamson is 0-3 this spring with a 6.55 earned run average in three starts and four appearances. He allowed eight runs on 13 hits in 11 innings, walking three and striking out 10.
In his rookie season in the major leagues last season, he had a 5-5 record and 4.46 earned run average. In 117 innings he allowed 63 runs (58 earned) on 111 hits, walked 39, hit two and struck out 98. Opponents had a .248 batting average. Cincinnati was 14-8 in games Williamson started.