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Noelvi Marte Noelvi Marte Getting start versus righty Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 2:11 PM Marte will start in right field and bat seventh in Tuesday's game against the Pirates. Analysis: The Pirates are sending right-hander Bubba Chandler to the hill, marking the first time Marte has been in the lineup this season in the three times the Reds have gone up against a righty. Will Benson -- who has been vying for playing time with Marte -- is also in the lineup as he will slide over to left field while Spencer Steer gets a breather.
Tyler Stephenson Tyler Stephenson Out of Reds' lineup Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 1:49 PM Stephenson is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's contest versus the Pirates. Analysis: It's a routine day off for Stephenson, who has now started three of the Reds' first five tilts. Jose Trevino will do the catching and bat eighth for Cincinnati on Tuesday.
Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Getting first day off Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 1:47 PM Steer is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates. Analysis: Steer is just 1-for-13 at the plate to start the season, so he'll get a day to regroup. Will Benson is handling left field and batting sixth in Steer's stead.
Noelvi Marte Noelvi Marte Locked in platoon Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 8:08 AM Marte has started in right field in two of the Reds' first four games, both against left-handers. Analysis: Cincinnati manager Terry Francona made comments earlier this month to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com about Marte still being relatively new to the outfield, which may partially be the reason he's on the short side of platoon with Will Benson. Marte, ironically, was much better against right-handers (.821 OPS) than lefties (.562) in 2025.
Will Benson Will Benson Delivers run in win Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 7:59 AM Benson started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI in Monday's 2-0 win over Pittsburgh. Analysis: Benson delivered the Reds' second run in the fourth inning, his first extra-base hit and RBI of the season. He's started two games in right field thus far, both against right-handers. Noelvi Marte has started against lefties.
Emilio Pagan Emilio Pagan Unavailable for Monday's save Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 7:50 AM Pagan was one of three relief pitchers unavailable in Monday's 2-0 win over the Pirates, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Analysis: With the game on the line, Cincinnati manager Terry Francona turned to Connor Phillips, who walked the first two batters before converting the save. Pagan should be available if a closer is needed Tuesday.
Connor Phillips Connor Phillips Tallies first save Monday Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 10:11 PM Phillips earned the save Monday against the Pirates, walking two in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one. Analysis: Closer Emilio Pagan was likely unavailable after working each of the past two days for Cincinnati, opening the door for Phillips to claim his first save opportunity of the year. Monday marked Phillips' first career major-league save, though the right-hander doesn't figure to see very much ninth-inning work in 2026 when Pagan or other Reds high-leverage arms are available.
Chase Burns Chase Burns Dazzles in season debut Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:58 PM Burns (1-0) earned the win Monday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit and three walks in five innings. He struck out seven. Analysis: It was a sparkling season debut for the hard-throwing right-hander, who held Pittsburgh to a lone single in the hit column. Burns touched 99 mph on his fastball on 10 occasions, producing an impressive 15 swings and misses on the evening as well. The righty is set for his next start later this week in Texas versus the Rangers, and Burnes will be looking to stretch out further after throwing 78 pitches Monday.
Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Making rehab start Thursday Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 1:51 PM Lodolo (finger) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Daytona on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports. Analysis: As long as things go well in Thursday's outing, Lodolo will be set to make his season debut for the Reds next week in Miami. The left-hander is working his way back from a blister on his left index finger but was cleared for game action after throwing a successful bullpen session Sunday. When Lodolo is ready to rejoin the rotation, Brandon Williamson could be sent to Triple-A Louisville or the bullpen.
Will Benson Will Benson Getting another start versus righty Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 1:30 PM Benson will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Pirates. Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Benson has started in right field both times the Reds have faced a right-hander, while the righty-swinging Noelvi Marte has held down the position against both lefties. Marte is not going to be a strict short-side platoon bat, but Benson looks to have the early leg up on him when it comes to playing time versus righties.
Noelvi Marte Noelvi Marte Sitting again versus righty Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 1:27 PM Marte is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Pirates. Analysis: Righty Braxton Ashcraft is taking the ball for the Pirates, marking the second time in two games versus righties in the early going that Marte has been on the bench in favor of the left-handed-swinging Will Benson. Marte has started in right field for both of the Reds' tilts against lefties. It's unlikely to be a strict platoon at the position, but it seems at this early stage of the season that Marte is behind Benson in the pecking order versus right-handed pitching.
Sal Stewart Sal Stewart Bat remains hot Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 7:32 AM Stewart went 2-for-2 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox. Analysis: There was no let-up for Stewart in the third game of the season. He's now had multiple hits and reached base at least three times in all three games, going 7-for-10 with three walks, zero strikeouts and more extra-base hits than singles. He also showed advanced baserunning Sunday, advancing to second base on a flyout to center field, which put him in a position to reach third base when the next batter singled to left field.
Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Moving around as advertised Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 7:22 AM Steer started at first base and went 1-for-4 in Sunday's 3-2 win over Boston. Analysis: Steer made his first start of the season at first base after serving as the left fielder Thursday and Saturday. The plan announced this spring, when Steer started at five different positions, was that he would primarily play left field but could also slot in at various spots. In addition to his starting positions thus far, Steer also moved mid-game Saturday to first base and then third base. That roster flexibility helps manager Terry Francona navigate in-game situations, while also ensuring Steer gets a full game of plate appearances.
Rhett Lowder Rhett Lowder Strikes out five in no-decision Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 5:11 PM Lowder did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings. Analysis: Lowder surrendered a two-run homer in the fourth inning but also managed four scoreless frames. He threw 56 of 86 pitches for strikes while generating an impressive 14 whiffs, including six on his slider. The former first-round pick logged just 9.1 minor-league innings last season due to multiple injuries but is getting an opportunity to stick with the Reds in 2026. He's slated for a road matchup against the Rangers next weekend.
Eugenio Suarez Eugenio Suarez Launches game-winning homer Sunday Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 4:26 PM Suarez went 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and three RBI in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox. Analysis: With the Reds trailing 2-0 in the sixth inning, Suarez put them ahead for good with a 431-foot blast off Greg Weissert. It was the 34-year-old's first homer since returning to Great American Ball Park, where he's now gone deep 102 times in his career. He's topped the 30-homer mark six times since his first full season in 2016, including three during his previous stint with Cincinnati, and should remain one of baseball's top power sources.
Emilio Pagan Emilio Pagan Earns first save Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 4:09 PM Pagan earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout. Analysis: Pagan was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and worked around a one-out double to slam the door. It was an encouraging rebound after he allowed a homer and blew his first save chance Saturday. The 34-year-old could be unavailable Monday after throwing 34 high-leverage pitches over the past two days.
Ke'Bryan Hayes Ke'Bryan Hayes Hitting bench Sunday Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 11:25 AM Hayes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox. Analysis: Hayes will give way to Eugenio Suarez at third base in the series finale after he started in the Reds' first two games of the season while going 0-for-7 with a run scored. While Hayes has produced at well-below-league-average levels at the plate each of the past two seasons, his exceptional defense at the hot corner should keep him in the lineup more often than not.
Dane Myers Dane Myers Plays hero Saturday Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 8:05 AM Myers went 1-for-1 with an RBI in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Red Sox. Analysis: Myers played the hero with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning. He entered the game in the ninth inning as a defensive substitution and stuck around after Emilio Pagan blew the save. Myers has come off the bench in two straight games to begin the year, having served as a pinch hitter for Will Benson in the Reds' Opening Day loss.
Elly De La Cruz Elly De La Cruz Swats home run in win Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 7:57 AM De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with two walks and a solo home run in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Red Sox. Analysis: De La Cruz clubbed his first home run of the season in the fifth inning to give Cincinnati a 5-3 lead. The shortstop, who clouted 20-plus home runs in each of his first two full MLB seasons, is looking to rebound from a second-half dip in production in 2025. To that end, Reds manager Terry Francona stated it was an organizational goal to keep De La Cruz fresh, so he may get more rest this season.
Brady Singer Brady Singer Allows three runs in first start Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 8:55 PM Singer allowed three runs on five hits and two walks across four innings in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Red Sox. He struck out five. Analysis: Singer dealt with a blister 10 days ago in a spring start against the Rockies, but he didn't miss any time with the issue. However, his velocity was notably down against Boston on Saturday, averaging just 90.5 mph with his sinker and 89.7 mph with his fastball. The veteran right-hander's next scheduled start should come next weekend on the road against Texas.