Anderson showing consistency Reds' rotation needs

PITTSBURGH -- With a recent stretch of injuries to starters, the Reds have needed arms to round out the rotation effectively as the regular season draws to a close.

Enter Chase Anderson. The veteran right-hander was signed to a Minor League contract Aug. 27, and he was promoted to the big league two days later. His first two outings, he struggled, but now he’s been as much of an aid to the rotation as the club could have asked for in September.

Anderson’s start Monday lasted only four-plus innings, a byproduct in part of a 38-minute rain delay before he took the mound in the fourth inning, but he held the Pirates to one run in that span. But some shaky defense and relief pitching spelled an 8-3 loss for the Reds at PNC Park.

The Reds’ rotation has been in flux for much of the season. Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle were dealt at the Trade Deadline. Vladimir Gutierrez struggled out of the gate as a starter, then was injured two appearances into his relief transition.

In recent days, Mike Minor’s season ended last week due to injury, and Justin Dunn, who missed the majority of the season with a right shoulder ailment, had similar though less severe issues reappear in mid-September.

Oddly enough, the most consistent starters for the Reds this season have been a trio of rookies in Graham Ashcraft, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo.

The Reds first moved Luis Cessa from the bullpen -- where he’d been exclusively for nearly four seasons -- into the starting rotation Aug. 22, but they needed further reinforcements. That’s when Anderson arrived, though like Cessa, he’d been a reliever in the Rays’ Minor League system (10 appearances with only one start) before he was released Aug. 25.

Immediately, Anderson was thrust into the Reds’ starting staff, building up from outing to outing.

“I know it’s the end of the year, but it’s like Spring Training for me in September,” he said.

Now, he’s on a roll. Anderson, who had 176 turns of MLB starting experience entering this season, has allowed one earned run or fewer in three consecutive starts for the first time since his first three outings of the 2020 season, but in none of those prior three did he reach four innings. He’s gone at least four in each of his past three for the Reds.

Had it not been for rain, which both manager David Bell and Anderson said nearly ended the righty’s night, he might have gone longer.

What’s trending in the right direction for Anderson from start to start? A big factor has been trust and command. His first three starts in September, albeit effective in the run prevention department, had nine walks across that span. In his past two starts, he didn’t walk a batter.

“I’ve been able to execute on the edges -- up when I need to with the fastball, down with the changeup and the curveball and the cutter. I’m trying to implement a little more of a slider in there. I think it’s just making better pitches, and it just comes down to execution.”

And a timely reunion has been a big boost, too. Anderson is back under the tutelage of pitching coach Derek Johnson, who was with the Brewers while Anderson was there before the coach was hired by Cincinnati in 2018. The pitcher calls Johnson “the best pitching coach I’ve ever had” and credits him with feeling comfortable from the get-go.

“He cares so much as a person, as a human being, that it makes you feel like you can really trust what he’s trying to teach you,” Anderson said. “He’s never going to teach you anything that’s going to hurt you. He’s always wanting to try to maximize each player’s abilities and skill set.”

Anderson has also been keen to continue refining his craft, even experimenting with different pitch grips to get the most out of his arsenal. It’s unclear what his future will be after the season ends, but as it winds down, he’s showing just how effective he can still be at the Major League level.

“It’s hard to say he’s developing,” Bell said. “He’s been around for a long time, but at the same time, he has made adjustments that he feels great about.

“It’s fun to see, because we picked him up, put him right into a role -- a new role, because he had been relieving -- and he’s just done a great job for us.”