Luke Weaver set to join Reds' rotation; Casey Legumina called up

During the offseason, the Cincinnati Reds were looking for an experienced starting pitcher to slot into the middle of the rotation on a one-year deal. Luke Weaver, 29, was looking for a chance to reestablish himself as a starting pitcher and start a new chapter in his career.

The Reds signed Weaver to a one-year deal during the offseason, and Weaver’s “prove it” year will begin on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Weaver was set back by a minor forearm injury during spring training, but he concluded his rehab assignment on Friday and is back with the Reds in Cincinnati. 

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“He has a lot of experience having success in this league,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He really likes being here, enjoys working with (Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson) and feels like he can become a better pitcher than he has ever been to this point. He has a lot of years (in MLB), but he’s still young.”

Weaver, a former top prospect who made his debut in 2016, has only made more than 13 starts in one of his seven years in MLB. He’s an athletic pitcher with a four-pitch mix and a standout changeup, but injuries have prevented him from gaining much momentum. 

Weaver was solid for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021, posting a 4.25 ERA in 13 starts. But because of injuries and a deep Diamondbacks rotation in 2022, Weaver moved to the bullpen during his contract year. 

Weaver has tweaked his slider and worked on locating his curveball more consistently in the strike zone. For a Reds team that has three second-year starting pitchers and a converted reliever in their current starting rotation, Weaver is the veteran who’s being counted on to frequently pitch deep into games.

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“These last two rehab starts have been very beneficial,” Weaver said. “The consistency has been showing. I’ve worked on off-speed pitches, throwing with spin, putting my slider that’s coming to use. I have a four-pitch mix working. It’s allowed me to have some quick innings.”

Connor Overton, who had been the Reds’ No. 5 starting pitcher, went on the injured list on Saturday with a right elbow strain. Overton had an 11.45 ERA across his three starts in 2023, and he told the coaching staff after the game that he “knew something was off.”

Weaver is expected to be activated on Wednesday, which left an open spot in the bullpen. The Reds called up prospect Casey Legumina, who the Reds acquired from the Minnesota Twins in November in return for shortstop Kyle Farmer.

“What stands out about Casey the most is that he doesn’t show any fear,” Bell said. “He’s really good about trusting himself. His stuff is really good. He wants to be in every situation and is not intimidated by anything. That combined with his stuff, he keeps getting better … The timing is right for Casey to make his debut and potentially be a big part of the bullpen.”

Legumina spent the first half of last season as a starting pitcher for the Twins’ Double-A affiliate, but he hit his stride when the organization moved him to the bullpen. Legumina has a quick delivery and a fastball that rises through the strike zone. During spring training, Bell said that Legumina’s fastball reminded him of Reds reliever Alexis Díaz’s.

Legumina’s call-up for his Major League debut caught him by surprise. The Louisville Bats, the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, were on the road this weekend to face the Toledo Mud Hens. After Friday night’s game, Bats’ trainers pretended that they heard that Legumina’s arm was sore. 

“I was confused,” Legumina said. “(Bats manager Pat Kelly) said (this trainer) only works on big leaguers. I was like, ‘What?’ Then he said it again. It set in that they were being serious. It was all hugs after that.”

Legumina’s dad had happened to make the trip to Toledo to watch the series, and Legumina’s extended family from Michigan also went to Toledo. 

“Everyone came to see me play (Friday) and didn’t see me play,” Legumina said. “They were like, ‘What’s going on?’ Then I told them the news, and they all decided to caravan down with me here.”