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Sal Stewart Sal Stewart Hits mammoth homer, plates four Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 10:38 AM Stewart clubbed a three-run home run and added an RBI double in Monday's Cactus League game versus the Cubs. Analysis: Stewart's long ball off of Collin Snider in the fifth inning went over the batter's eye in center field and was measured at 410 feet and 107.2 mph off the bat. It was the 22-year-old's second home run this spring, and he also added his second stolen base. Stewart cranked five home runs in 18 regular-season games down the stretch for the Reds last season and has breakout potential in his first full big-league season in 2026.
Brady Singer Brady Singer Makes spring debut Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 7:13 AM Singer allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one over two-plus innings in Monday's spring start against the Cubs. Analysis: The numbers for Singer's Cactus League debut were ugly, and he was able to generate just one swing-and-miss. The optimistic view is that he managed to throw 46 pitches while throwing his entire arsenal and had three up-and-downs. All four runs scored in the first frame, when the right-hander had some bad luck -- a couple of weak contact hits fell in safely and left fielder Will Benson couldn't come down with a catchable ball.
Matt McLain Matt McLain Locked in at plate Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 6:57 AM McLain batted second and went 2-for-2 with two walks, two home runs, six RBI and a third run scored in Monday's spring game against the Cubs. Analysis: McLain is wielding a hot stick early in the Cactus League and is 8-for-14 with three homers and nine RBI through five games. He appears poised for a bounce-back season after slumping for much of 2025 and landing in the bottom of the order. McLain is looking like he did in 2023, when he posted an .864 OPS and 127 OPS+ as a rookie.
Michael Toglia Michael Toglia Cut from big-league camp Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 9:09 AM The Reds reassigned Toglia to minor-league camp Monday. Analysis: Non-tendered by the Rockies in November after hitting just .190 with a 39.2 percent strikeout rate in 88 games in the majors last season, Toglia caught on with the Reds on a minor-league deal over the winter and received the chance to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, Toglia showed no signs of improving his poor contact rate during the early stages of Cactus League play, striking out in four of his nine at-bats. The 27-year-old switch-hitter should get the chance to play on an everyday basis at Triple-A Louisville to begin the season, but he'll likely need to cut down on his strikeouts before he gets another look in the majors.
Michael Chavis Michael Chavis Falls short in bid for roster Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 9:04 AM The Reds reassigned Chavis to minor-league camp Monday. Analysis: After finishing the 2025 campaign in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Chunichi Dragons, Chavis returned stateside this winter and signed a minor-league deal with the Reds. Though the 30-year-old had gotten off to a nice start in the Cactus League with three hits -- including a home run -- in 11 at-bats, he always appeared to be a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster. Assuming he doesn't have an opt-out clause in his minor-league deal, Chavis will likely report to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season.
Dane Myers Dane Myers Belts homer Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 9:01 AM Myers started in center field and went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's spring game against the Athletics. Analysis: Reds manager Terry Francona is toying with the idea of Myers in center field and moving TJ Friedl, the team's primary starter in center, to a corner outfield spot. That's an alignment the manager used last Thursday, and Francona told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he'll do that a few more times this spring. Myers could either serve as a right-handed hitting complement to Friedl, or the two elite outfield defenders could play the same day.
Andrew Abbott Andrew Abbott One good inning Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 8:47 AM Abbott allowed four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Athletics. Analysis: Abbott sandwiched two troublesome innings around a perfect second frame. Three batters in, the Reds were down, 2-0, as Abbott surrendered a two-run home run. It was the second homer allowed in as many games. The left-hander then retired seven of the next eight batters before ceding a two-out, run-producing double in the third, which ended his day. Abbott worked his pitch count to 43 (28 strikes) in his second Cactus League start.
Matt McLain Matt McLain Hits in four straight Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 7:52 AM McLain batted second and went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's spring game against Milwaukee. Analysis: McLain has batted second and gathered hits in all four of his Cactus League appearances so far, going 6-for-12 with a walk and three RBI. He opened 2025 batting near the top of the batting order but struggled for much of the season and eventually was dropped to the bottom third. If he continues to hit like this, McLain could find himself batting second again with protection from Elly De La Cruz behind him.
Hunter Greene Hunter Greene Shaky spring debut Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 7:37 AM Greene allowed four runs on five hits and one walk over one inning in Saturday's spring start against the Brewers. Analysis: Greene threw a total of 37 pitches (21 strikes) against eight batters over two different innings in his Cactus League debut. The right-hander used his typical arsenal of four-seamer, slider and splitter but not the two-seamer he'd worked on during the offseason. He was yanked in the first without retiring a batter and lamented his location to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "Results obviously weren't great but going in, the plan - especially adjusting to the ABS - I wanted to fill the zone up. I was probably too middle today," Greene said. "Obviously, it's a good hitting team. I was trying to find a little bit more of those corners." Greene was better in his second inning, which included a walk, a groundout and double-play groundout. Despite the trials, the pitcher said he felt great, and manager Terry Francona was pleased with how the ball was coming out.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand Christian Encarnacion-Strand Making first spring start Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 11:11 AM Encarnacion-Strand (hamstring) will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and bat seventh in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. Analysis: Encarnacion-Strand missed the Reds' first several spring contests while recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in January. He's now been given the green light to return to a competitive environment, but a late start won't help his already slim chances of making Cincinnati's Opening Day roster.
Julian Aguiar Julian Aguiar Roughed up Friday Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 9:08 AM Aguiar allowed three runs on four hits and struck out two over two innings in Friday's spring game against the Angels. Analysis: After starter Rhett Lowder breezed through three innings, Aguiar entered and did not fare as well. The latter was tagged for all three runs in the fourth inning and has allowed six hits and four runs over four Cactus League frames. Aguiar is nominally in the mix for the final rotation spot, but both of his main rivals, Lowder and Chase Burns, have performed better.
Rhett Lowder Rhett Lowder Makes case for rotation Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:58 AM Lowder allowed one walk and struck out three over three hitless and scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against the Angels. Analysis: Lowder was on point with all of his pitches, dispatching nine of 10 batters faced on 30 offerings (21 strikes). He was so efficient that the right-hander retired to the bullpen to throw another 10 pitches. This was Lowder's first Cactus League start and second spring outing. The ability throw all his pitches for strikes should serve him well in the competition for the final spot in Cincinnati's rotation.
TJ Friedl TJ Friedl Gets start in LF Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 6:56 AM Friedl started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Thursday's spring game against San Diego. Analysis: Friedl, who normally defends center field, moved to left field so that Dane Myers could play center. Reds manager Terry Francona talked to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com about the alignment, which could be deployed during the regular season against certain lefties. The manager praised Myers' defense in center and will try to get Friedl in left a few more times this spring, although the latter is expected to be the primary center fielder during the regular season. Friedl has appeared in three Cactus League games, going 3-for-8 with a walk and three RBI.
Chase Burns Chase Burns Mixed results Thursday Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 6:32 AM Burns allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 2.1 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Padres. Analysis: Burns' slider played well and his pitch count increased to 48 in his second Cactus League start, but his four-seamer was wayward. He threw just 26 strikes and fell behind against multiple batters. That includes the first at-bat of the third inning, when Rodolfo Duran took two four-seamers for balls before drilling a third for a home run. Burns remains in the hunt for the final spot in the rotation.
JJ Bleday JJ Bleday Launches first spring homer Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 7:13 AM Bleday started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's spring game against the White Sox. Analysis: Bleday's two-run shot in the third inning held up as the game-winning knock. He's appeared in two Cactus League games -- one each in left and right field -- going 3-for-6 with a homer, a double and four RBI. Bleday is competing for a depth outfielder spot and can play all three positions.
Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Strong spring debut Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 7:04 AM Lodolo allowed two hits and struck out four over two scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against the White Sox. Analysis: Lodolo struck out the side in the first inning before working out of a one-out, two-on jam in the second. He threw a total of 40 pitches (30 strikes) in what was a promising Cactus League debut. The left-hander is coming off his best statistical season with a career-high 28 starts and career-low 3.33 ERA in 2025.
Eugenio Suarez Eugenio Suarez Belts first spring homer Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 8:20 AM Suarez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals. Analysis: Suarez's homer immediately followed one hit by Elly De La Cruz in the fifth inning. The two hits were the first in three Cactus League outings for Suarez, who is 2-for-9 thus far. He's served twice at third base and once at DH. In preparation for his upcoming role for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Suarez is expected to get a few more starts at the hot corner over the next week, but he will toggle between DH and first base during the regular season while Ke'Bryan Hayes operates as the everyday third baseman.
Elly De La Cruz Elly De La Cruz Goes yard Tuesday Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 8:03 AM De La Cruz went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals. Analysis: De La Cruz belted his first spring homer and has three extra-base hits in his two Cactus League appearances. It's a promising sign for the dynamic De La Cruz, who has enjoyed protection from Eugenio Suarez batting behind him. Suarez followed De La Cruz's blast with his own homer and is expected to bat cleanup behind De La Cruz in the regular season.
Andrew Abbott Andrew Abbott Makes spring debut Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 7:56 AM Abbott allowed two runs on two hits and struck out two over two innings in Tuesday's spring start against Kansas City. Analysis: Abbott was pleased with his Cactus League debut, telling Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he threw all five of his pitches and was encouraged by his efficiency (27 pitches, 17 strikes, no walks). The lone blemish was a two-out, two-run home run allowed to Josh Rojas. The left-hander is having a normal camp, which is a change from last season, when he didn't make his spring debut until March 17 due to recovery from a shoulder injury before opening the regular season on the injured list.
Hunter Greene Hunter Greene Adding two-seam fastball Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 7:48 PM Greene is working on adding a two-seam fastball to his arsenal, Charlie Goldsmith of The Dayton Daily News reports. "It's going to be a great offering," Greene said. "I'm excited to get going. You'll see it a good bit." The Reds are working in Greene slowly, as he essentially pitched a simulated game on Sunday and will make his spring training debut on Friday. Analysis: Greene heavily relied on a four-seamer last season, throwing it 54 percent of the time, along with a slider (35 percent) and a splitter (11 percent). Perhaps the two-seamer could replace the splitter at times, as the latter pitch yielded a .310 batting average and .655 slugging percentage in 26 batted ball events, while netting only three strikeouts.