Sixth Starter Carson Spiers Will Take the Mound for a New Dad on Easter Sunday

Keaton Lodolo entered the world on Friday, tipping the scales at nine pounds.

His left handed father, Nick, was placed on the three-day paternity list and will miss his scheduled start against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

Undrafted, unrecruited Carson Spiers was called up from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday afternoon. He will take over for the new dad on Easter Sunday.

Spiers made the Opening Day roster for the first time in four years as a pro. This spring, Spiers earned two big league starts in Cincinnati when Andrew Abbott, who is now 3-0 after allowing a run on two hits and striking out 11 in an 8-3 win at Camden Yards, was on the shelf. It boiled down to Graham Ashcraft and Spiers to fill the fifth spot in the rotation.

Ashcraft was moved to the bullpen, and Spiers was in.

“It’s definitely cool. It is something you dream of as a kid to break spring training with a big league team,’ Spiers said. “It’s good to know hard work is paying off and giving me the opportunity. It’s my time to take the opportunity and run with it.”

“I’ve had to earn everything. From being a walk-on in college to not being drafted here. It’s awesome for me and my family. Now is the time to take the opportunity and show what I can do.”

“I had to call my wife. I couldn’t let the word get out before she knew. I called her. I called my parents. Now everybody is ready to make the trip to Cincinnati.”

Indeed, as a temporary addition to the rotation that features two number one draft picks, Hunter Greene and Lodolo, Spiers toiled with little fanfare.

Like Fernando Cruz, who pitched nine years in the minor leagues and became a reliable reliever for the Reds, Spiers had to work harder and smarter to earn a break.

He pitched well in spring training to earn the job.

Spiers made two starts before Abbott was ready.

He pitched well enough to win his start against the Texas Rangers in his first in 2025, allowing one run in six innings in a 1-0 loss.

The right-hander from Clemson will take a 5-10 career record to the mound in Camden Yards, with 14 starts among 28 appearances and a 5.58 ERA for his brief career.