GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle never felt like he had an “I made it” moment as a big league pitcher.
He made his debut in 2017 as a late-season call-up and made four starts. Mahle opened the 2018 season in the Reds rotation, but he had a 4.98 ERA and was sent down to Triple-A in August. In 2019 and 2020, the Reds rebuilt nearly their entire starting rotation through trades and free agency, adding pitchers like Sonny Gray, Wade Miley, Alex Wood, Trevor Bauer and Tanner Roark.
Even though he was pitching well, Mahle was constantly competing for a spot.