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Jeimer Candelario Jeimer Candelario Starts at third base
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:32 PM
Candelario started at third base and went 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBI in Thursday's 6-4 loss to San Francisco.
Analysis: Candelario was part of crowded corner infield spots during spring training, but a late injury to outfielder Austin Hays (calf) led to Gavin Lux playing left field Thursday. That should give Candelario a near-daily role at third base, first base of DH in the early going. He underwhelmed overall at the plate in 2024, his first with the Reds, but he managed to hit the 20-homer mark for a second consecutive season. |
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Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Starts as DH
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:22 PM
Steer started at designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Steer was a surprise to open the season on the active roster, but an Austin Hays calf injury this week prompted a roster shuffle. Steer's shoulder kept him out most of spring training. and he managed to get just seven plate appearances. As such, there could be some rust early on. |
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Hunter Greene Hunter Greene Punches out eight
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 7:05 PM
Greene didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Giants, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight.
Analysis: A two-run Heliot Ramos homer in the fourth inning accounted for all of the Giants' scoring against Greene in what was an otherwise impressive opener for the right-hander. The 25-year-old Greene is coming off an excellent 2024 campaign where he went 9-5 with a 2.75 ERA and 169 strikeouts across 150.1 innings. He's currently lined up to face the Brewers on the road in his second outing. |
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Ian Gibaut Ian Gibaut Blows surprise save opportunity
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 6:48 PM
Gibaut was the surprise choice by Reds manager Terry Francona to pick up the save on Opening Day but blew it badly, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk, including a three-run homer by Wilmer Flores to break a 3-3 tie after Gibault had already blown the save.
Analysis: Gibaut was literally the last pitcher added to the Reds' roster after Alexis Diaz was placed on the IL, making the team as a non-roster player after getting non-tendered in November. It's noteworthy that other potential fill-in closers Scott Barlow, Emilio Pagan and Tony Santillan pitched the sixth-through-eighth innings. Neither Taylor Rogers nor Graham Ashcraft pitched in the game. |
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Stuart Fairchild Stuart Fairchild Pushed off 40-man roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:08 AM
The Reds designated Fairchild for assignment Thursday.
Analysis: The transaction was fully expected, as the Reds informed Jacob Hurtubise and Blake Dunn on Wednesday that they had won out over Fairchild in the competition for the two available reserve outfield spots on the Opening Day roster. Fairchild didn't have any minor-league options remaining, so the Reds will have to move him off the 40-man roster and risk losing him to waivers. |
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Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Batting cleanup in opener
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:49 AM
Lux will start in left field and bat cleanup Thursday against the Giants.
Analysis: With Austin Hays (calf) shelved, Lux slides into the lineup in the corner outfield and also gets a prime spot in the lineup, batting behind TJ Friedl, Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz. Most of Lux's playing time could ultimately come at third base, but he's in line for regular reps in left field versus righties while Hays is out. |
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Tyler Stephenson Tyler Stephenson Moves to IL
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 2:35 PM
The Reds placed Stephenson (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Stephenson will be eligible for activation April 3, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to make his season debut by then while he continues to recover from a low-grade left oblique strain. He didn't appear in any Cactus League or exhibition games after suffering the injury in mid-March, so Stephenson will likely need at least a brief minor-league rehab assignment to pick up some at-bats before the Reds are comfortable bringing him back. In the meantime, Cincinnati will lean on Jose Trevino as its primary backstop, while Austin Wynns serves as the No. 2 option behind the dish. |
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Andrew Abbott Andrew Abbott Shelved to begin season
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 2:31 PM
The Reds placed Abbott (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Abbott built up to four innings and 50 pitches in his second and final Cactus League outing this past Saturday, but since he's not quite stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, the Reds will have him open the season on the IL, after he got off to a delayed start this spring due to a rotator cuff strain. He'll be eligible for activation April 8, and he should be ready to go on or around that date if he experiences no setbacks while making another rehab start or two over the next two weeks. Carson Spiers appears in line to serve as the Reds' No. 5 starter until Abbott is cleared to join the big-league rotation. |
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Alexis Diaz Alexis Diaz Goes on IL
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 2:26 PM
The Reds placed Diaz (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Diaz's placement on the IL is retroactive to Monday, so he could be activated as soon as April 8, assuming he's fully moved past his hamstring injury by then. The 28-year-old has notched at least 25 saves in consecutive seasons, but he struggled to keep his walks in check in both years and saw his strikeout rate dip to 22.7 percent in 2024. The control problems cropped up again this spring, which put Diaz's status as the Reds' closer on shaky ground even before he was diagnosed with hamstring inflammation. The Reds are seemingly prepared to take a committee approach to the closer position to begin the season, and if a reliever is quickly able to gain the trust of manager Terry Francona in the late innings, Diaz may not be in the mix for save chances once he's healthy. |
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Rhett Lowder Rhett Lowder Moves to 15-day IL
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 2:17 PM
The Reds placed Lowder on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a right forearm strain.
Analysis: After turning in a 1.17 ERA -- albeit with poor underlying metrics -- over his six starts with the Reds late in the 2024 season, Lowder headed into the winter with some momentum. However, Lowder never made much of a push for a spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation, as he was limited in his throwing program early in camp due to elbow soreness and never ended up making a Cactus League appearance. Lowder is reportedly close to throwing bullpen sessions, but he'll likely need a few weeks to ramp up before he's ready to begin a rehab assignment. The 23-year-old righty has minor-league options remaining and could end up sticking around at Triple-A Louisville once he completes his throwing progression and is activated from the IL. |
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Brandon Williamson Brandon Williamson Heads to 60-day IL
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 2:08 PM
The Reds placed Williamson (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis: Williamson is set to miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September, so his move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Austin Wynns, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Louisville. |
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Austin Wynns Austin Wynns Makes season-opening roster
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 2:06 PM
The Reds selected Wynns' contract from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.
Analysis: Wynns will open the season as the Reds' No. 2 catcher, with Jose Trevino serving as the primary starter behind the plate while Tyler Stephenson (oblique) is on the injured list. Once Stephenson is ready to be activated from the IL, Wynns will likely be cast off the 40-man roster. |
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Tony Santillan Tony Santillan Mentioned as possible closer option
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 1:14 PM
Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that while Santillan is an "easy choice" to be the closer, "he might be too valuable getting to the ninth," Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Analysis: While Francona admitted he's not sure who his closer will be while Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is sidelined, it's notable that he mentioned Santillan in the fashion that he did, suggesting the right-hander might be the favorite to see the first opportunity. Santillan began last season in the minors after re-signing with the Reds last offseason on a minor-league deal, but he was excellent with the big club after being called up, posting a 3.00 ERA and 46:9 K:BB over 30 innings. Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow, Graham Ashcraft and Emilio Pagan are other candidates to see save chances with the Reds. |
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Jacob Hurtubise Jacob Hurtubise Wins reserve spot
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 12:43 PM
Hurtubise will be included on the Reds' Opening Day roster, Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard reports.
Analysis: Hurtubise collected a .923 OPS with five stolen bases this spring to earn a roster spot. He might see some action in the outfield while Austin Hays (calf) is out but is likely to operate mostly in a reserve role. |
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Stuart Fairchild Stuart Fairchild Set to lose roster spot
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 12:42 PM
The Reds are expected to designate Fairchild for assignment Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Even though Austin Hays (calf) is set to open the season on the injured list, the Reds won't keep Fairchild on hand as outfield depth. Instead, Cincinnati will keep Jacob Hurtubise and Blake Dunn on the Opening Day roster as reserve options in the outfield behind projected starters TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley, while utility players Gavin Lux and Santiago Espinal could also see time in left field during Hays' upcoming absence. Fairchild struggled to a .215/.286/.368 slash line in 233 plate appearances with Cincinnati in 2024 and didn't fare any better this spring with a .417 OPS and 28.9 percent strikeout rate over 45 plate appearances in the Cactus League. |
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Blake Dunn Blake Dunn Nabs roster spot
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 12:41 PM
Dunn has made the Reds' Opening Day roster, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Analysis: Dunn earned a spot by producing a .340/.404/.574 batting line during Cactus League play. The 26-year-old could see some action in left field for the Reds while Austin Hays (calf) is shelved. |
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Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Will be active Opening Day
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 12:35 PM
Steer (shoulder) will be active for the Reds on Opening Day, Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard reports.
Analysis: The Reds had said previously that Steer would open the season on the 10-day injured list, but he's shown enough improvement with his right shoulder injury that he'll avoid an IL stint. Steer still isn't able to play the field, so he will be limited to designated hitter duty initially. |
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Austin Hays Austin Hays Lands on IL with calf injury
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 12:32 PM
The Reds placed Hays on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a low-grade left calf strain, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Analysis: Manager Terry Francona isn't expecting a lengthy stay on the shelf for Hays, who could be activated April 3 when first eligible. Gavin Lux could make starts in left field against right-handed pitching while Hays is out, with Blake Dunn also in the mix for at-bats. |
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Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Participates in exhibition
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 7:56 AM
Steer (shoulder) was included in the lineup at designated hitter for Tuesday's exhibition game.
Analysis: The Reds played against a group of their own prospects, and Steer played with the minor leaguers, who operated with a 10-player batting order to accommodate the 27-year-old. Steer missed most of the Cactus League season due to shoulder discomfort and he's tentatively expected to open the season on the injured list. Without Steer, the Reds will get by with a mix of Jeimer Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Gavin Lux at DH and the corner infield positions. |
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Gavin Lux Gavin Lux Fills in at left field
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 7:52 AM
Lux started at left field in Tuesday's exhibition game against High-A Dayton.
Analysis: Left field was expected to be the spot occupied by Austin Hays, but he was left out of the lineup due to a calf injury. Lux, who was exposed to the outfield during spring training, took over. It's unclear if Hays' injury will linger into Opening Day. A healthy Hays likely means Lux will lineup at third base of designated hitter. The latter can also spot in at second base. Lux and Jeimer Candelario are expected to share third base/DH to open the regular season, but lineup decisions will become trickier once Spencer Steer (shoulder) is ready to go. |
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