Cincinnati Reds right-hander Carson Spiers (shoulder) is chomping at the bit and is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment soon, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. Spiers is working his way back from a right-shoulder impingement that has kept him sidelined since the middle of April, but the 27-year-old could be nearing a return. Because of how long he's been out, it's unlikely that Spiers will return to the Reds before the mid-July All-Star break, but he could be ready to go for the start of the second half on July 18. He will most likely require a minor-league rehab start before being activated from the injured list. The former Clemson product made 22 appearances (10 starts) for the Reds last year and was touched up for 20 home runs in 90 2/3 innings. He gave up nine earned runs in 13 1/3 innings over three outings (two starts) before his injury and remains off the fantasy radar in most leagues for now.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-hander Carson Spiers (shoulder) is ahead of schedule and started throwing on Saturday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona. Spiers will need to continue building up his arm in Arizona before eventually going on a minor-league rehab assignment, so his return to the Reds is at least a couple weeks off, if not more. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent from Clemson appeared in three games (two starts) for the Reds this year before injuring his shoulder, allowing nine earned runs on 13 hits (three homers) while walking seven and striking out 11 in 13 1/3 innings pitched. Spiers is recovering from a right-shoulder impingement and will probably be relegated to a long-relief role out of the Reds' bullpen when he's ready to return from his injury.

The Cincinnati Reds have recalled right-handed pitcher Carson Spiers from Triple-A Louisville. In a corresponding move, the Reds placed starting pitcher Nick Lodolo on the paternity list. Lodolo was slated to start Sunday's contest against the Baltimore Orioles. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Spiers to get the nod instead. Spiers has logged nine 1/3 innings of work in the majors this season and posted a 4.82 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP. Last summer, the 27-year-old logged 90 2/3 innings in the major leagues and posted a high 5.46 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP. He struck out just 80 batters. Given his lack of proven success in the major leagues, fantasy managers should not view Spiers as a viable streamer. He should also not be targeted in DFS on Sunday, facing a potent Baltimore lineup.

The Cincinnati Reds have told left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) that he will begin the regular season on the injured list. As a result, right-hander Carson Spiers will serve as the team's fifth starter early on. Abbott's 2024 season came to an early end due to a left-shoulder injury, and he was still dealing with shoulder issues early in spring training, which put him behind the eight ball. The 25-year-old southpaw made his Cactus League debut earlier this week, but he simply ran out of time to get stretched out before Opening Day. If Abbott eventually can put his shoulder issues in the past for good, he should eventually return to their starting rotation in 2025. In the meantime, Spiers will be an option for NL-only fantasy managers after he posted a 5.46 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with 80 K's and 27 walks in 90 2/3 innings over 22 outings (10 starts) for Cincy in 2024.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Carson Spiers (shoulder) has been activated off the 15-day injured list on Monday. The right-hander missed over two weeks of action due to a right shoulder issue. Before that, Spiers held a 3.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 41/9 K/BB ratio across 10 games (five starts) with the Reds. He'll be handed to ball to take the mound against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Carson Spiers (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, July 13, due to a right shoulder impingement. The right-hander posted his best start of the season on Friday evening as he tallied a season-high nine punchouts across five innings of three-run ball. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old will now be sidelined till at least the end of July. In a corresponding move, the Reds promoted right-handed pitcher Tony Santillan to the major league roster. Santillan has operated out of the bullpen in Triple-A and is unlikely to claim the open rotation spot. Deeper NL-only league managers should pay close attention to who the Reds turn to fill the final rotation spot after the mid-summer classic.