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The Cincinnati Reds have announced the signing of veteran left-hander Wade Miley on a one-year, major league contract. Miley, represented by O'Connell Sports, had opted out of a minor league deal with the team and briefly became a free agent before rejoining the roster. This move necessitated some changes in the team’s roster; premier starter Hunter Greene has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a groin strain, while top prospect Rhett Lowder, who has been on the injured list all season with a forearm strain, has been moved from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster.

Miley, 38, is making his return to the majors after a 14-month hiatus following a torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery. Last year, he made two starts for the Milwaukee Brewers before his injury. Although he considered retirement, Miley decided to undergo surgery and attempt a comeback. He initially signed a minor league deal to return to Cincinnati, where he had previously played during the 2020-21 seasons.

This year, Miley's performance in minor league rehab has been rocky, with an overall ERA of 8.84. However, he has shown signs of improvement, notably lasting five innings in two of his last three appearances. In those games, he limited his opponents to two runs and none, respectively. Despite a tough outing on May 25, the Reds believe Miley's recent performances justify his promotion to the major league roster over prospects like Chase Petty and Aaron Wilkerson, who have been performing well in Triple-A.

Hunter Greene, 25, is facing his second stint on the injured list this season due to groin issues. He had previously missed two weeks in May with a similar problem. Greene, recognized as one of the top pitchers in the National League, boasts a combined ERA of 2.74 across 210 innings over the past two seasons and has been a cornerstone of the Reds' rotation. His recovery is critical for the team, which has received strong pitching performances from other starters like Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Nick Martinez.

Rhett Lowder, meanwhile, remains on the sidelines. Drafted seventh overall in 2023, Lowder had just begun a rehab stint when he suffered an oblique strain, setting back his recovery timetable. His move to the 60-day IL is more of a formality, as he had already exceeded 60 days on the injured list before the shift. Lowder will need additional weeks to recover from his oblique injury before resuming his rehab assignment.

With these roster adjustments, the Reds are poised to navigate the challenges ahead while integrating Miley back into the fold. The hope is that Miley can provide solid innings and help sustain the team's strong pitching performance during Greene's recovery.