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Cincinnati Reds

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Nathaniel Lowe Nathaniel Lowe Signs NRI pact with Cincinnati Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 12:35 PM The Reds signed Lowe to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Feinsand and Mark Sheldon of MLB.com report. Analysis: The 30-year-old Lowe had to settle for a minor-league deal after slashing a disappointing .228/.307/.381 with 18 home runs over 153 regular-season games between the Nationals and Red Sox in 2025. The Reds already have Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suarez projected for everyday at-bats between first base and designated hitter, with Spencer Steer also in the mix for playing time at those spots, so it's difficult to see a current fit for Lowe on the 26-man roster.
Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Addressed quad issue in offseason Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 6:55 AM Steer said Thursday that he cleaned up his sprinting mechanics to prevent re-injuring his quadriceps, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Steer got off to a slow start in 2025 because of a shoulder injury, but he admitted there was also a right quadriceps issue that bothered him for most of the season. "I think that had to do with my sprinting mechanics, and I cleaned that stuff up," he said. That was likely the reason he stole just seven bases after reaching double-digit swipes in each of the previous two seasons. Steer, who was a Gold Glove finalist at first base in 2025, will move around the diamond this season. His primary spot will be left field but depending on matchups, injuries and game situations, he could also see time in right field, and at first, second or third base.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand Christian Encarnacion-Strand Recovering from hamstring injury Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 12:46 PM Reds manager Terry Francona said Thursday that Encarnacion-Strand is behind schedule after suffering a hamstring injury in January, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports. Analysis: Encarnacion-Strand is on a running program, so he is improving, but he could miss the first few Cactus League games. The 26-year-old infielder slashed just .208/.234/.377 across 137 plate appearances last season and looks to be a bit buried on the Reds' depth chart.
Noelvi Marte Noelvi Marte Will play CF this spring Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 7:25 AM Marte will receive opportunities to play center field this spring, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Analysis: TJ Friedl is expected to get the most starts in center field this season, but the Reds want to see how Marte handles the new position. Marte moved from third base to right field in 2025, and though there were growing pains, he eventually proved himself to be competent and enters 2026 as the primary starter in right.
Sal Stewart Sal Stewart Drops weight Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 7:14 AM Stewart shed 26 pounds during the offseason, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Stewart, primarily a third baseman in the minors, has a clear path to playing regularly at first base and designated hitter this season. Last season's primary starter at first base, Spencer Steer, will likely be a regular in left field while also subbing in at three infield positions. Stewart was introduced to first base last season and had a throwing error in the playoffs that led to a four-run rally by the Dodgers. It's unclear if the error prompted him to drop the weight, but the early report out of camp is that the slimmer Stewart has improved his athleticism. How that reduction in weight impacts his offense is something to monitor, but the 22-year-old prospect is confident he will retain his compact swing and continue to hit for power. During a September call-up last year, Stewart slashed .255/.293/.545 with five home runs, eight RBIs and 11 runs scored over 58 plate appearances.
Brandon Williamson Brandon Williamson Faces hitters Wednesday Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 1:01 PM Williamson (elbow) faced hitters in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports. Analysis: The left-hander has no restrictions to begin camp after he missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Williamson will get the chance to compete for a spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation this spring, but he still has two minor-league options remaining and seems more likely to begin the season at Triple-A Louisville.
Tyler Stephenson Tyler Stephenson Wins arbitration case Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 1:45 PM Stephenson will earn $6.8 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Reds, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: The two sides went to a hearing despite just a $250,000 difference in their submitted arbitration figures, and the three-person panel ultimately picked Stephenson's filing. Stephenson put up a .737 OPS with 13 home runs over 88 regular-season contests for the Reds this past season and will be their top catcher again in 2026. He is slated to reach free agency next offseason.
Emilio Pagan Emilio Pagan Light use early Mon, Feb 9, 2026, 4:14 PM Pagan and teammate Tony Santillan will likely see less work in spring training games this year, especially early in the spring, Charlie Goldsmith of The Dayton Daily News reports. "We'll slow play them a little," pitching coach Derek Johnson said. "We need to give them a bit of time on the front end to build and maybe not be in games right away. Analysis: Pagan and Santillan were heavily used by the Reds last season, particularly down the stretch as the team tried to make the playoffs. The Reds did acquire Caleb Ferguson, Pierce Johnson and Brock Burke this offseason to help lighten the load on the two returning high-leverage arms.
Graham Ashcraft Graham Ashcraft Wins arbitration case Fri, Feb 6, 2026, 1:27 PM Ashcraft will earn $1.75 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Reds, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: The three-person arbitration panel sided with Ashcraft rather than the Reds' $1.25 figure. Ashcraft had a solid 2025 campaign in his first year as a full-time reliever, posting a 3.99 ERA and 64:25 K:BB over 65.1 regular-season innings. He's slated for a middle relief role again in 2026.
Rhett Lowder Rhett Lowder Shows promise in AFL Wed, Feb 4, 2026, 7:54 AM Lowder's velocity returned to the 93-95 mph range during short outings in the Arizona Fall League last year, Keith Law of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Lowder missed all of the 2025 season initially with a forearm injury, which he rehabbed, before a strained oblique muscle kept him off the mound until the AFL. In addition to a velocity bounce-back, the right-hander showed a plus changeup and a sharper slider that missed bats. Lowder enters spring training healthy and will compete for a spot in the rotation.
Ben Rortvedt Ben Rortvedt DFA'd by Cincinnati Tue, Feb 3, 2026, 11:52 AM The Reds designated Rortvedt for assignment Tuesday. Analysis: Booting Rortvedt off the 40-man roster clears a spot for Eugenio Suarez, who was officially signed Tuesday. Rortvedt was a waiver claim by the Reds earlier this offseason and is now likely to be on the move again. The defensive-minded catcher is a career .190/.279/.270 hitter over parts of four big-league seasons.
Sal Stewart Sal Stewart Will split reps at first base/DH Mon, Feb 2, 2026, 10:37 AM Stewart is expected to split his time between designated hitter and corner infield following the Reds' signing of Eugenio Suarez, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: As long as he's healthy, Ke'Bryan Hayes is in line to be the team's everyday third baseman, which leaves Stewart and Suarez to share first base and DH duties. Bringing Suarez aboard does not preclude Stewart from getting everyday reps, but it does give him less margin for error. The rookie swatted five home runs in 18 regular-season contests down the stretch for Cincinnati while slashing .255/.293/.545. Stewart also sported a robust 52.5 percent hard-hit rate and 17.5 percent barrel rate during his cup of coffee.
Spencer Steer Spencer Steer Pegged for utility role Mon, Feb 2, 2026, 10:22 AM Steer is expected to play some in the outfield and serve in a super utility role following the Reds' signing of Eugenio Suarez, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Suarez and Sal Stewart will soak up most of the at-bats between first base and designated hitter, and Ke'Bryan Hayes will occupy the hot corner. Steer's clearest path to playing time is in left field -- which was his primary position in 2024 -- though the 28-year-old is unlikely to settle in at one spot. He slashed an underwhelming .238/.312/.411 with 21 home runs across 146 regular-season contests in 2025, though Steer's numbers were held back by a dreadful .174/.248/.272 line in April when he played through a shoulder issue.
Elly De La Cruz Elly De La Cruz Gets protection in order Mon, Feb 2, 2026, 8:07 AM De La Cruz should benefit from Cincinnati signing free agent Eugenio Suarez, who is expected to bat cleanup behind De La Cruz, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The addition of Suarez's bat is expected to provide protection for De La Cruz, who started 148 games as the No. 3 hitter and led the team with 22 home runs in 2025. The Reds hadn't done much to address the need for power during the offseason until signing Suarez, a right-handed bat that belted 49 home runs in 2025 while with Arizona and Seattle. Despite playing in one of the league's friendlier hitting environments, Cincinnati ranked 21st in home runs and struggled offensively at times last season, and it lost two of its top offensive performers this offseason, Austin Hays and Gavin Lux.
Ke'Bryan Hayes Ke'Bryan Hayes Role unchanged by FA signing Mon, Feb 2, 2026, 7:48 AM Hayes is expected to remain the starting third baseman despite the Reds' signing free agent Eugenio Suarez on Sunday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: The organization reunited with Suarez, who played mostly third base for Cincinnati from 2015 to 2021 prior to being traded in March of 2022. Recognizing Hayes' value as a fielder -- he won a second Gold Glove at the hot corner in 2025 -- the Reds plan to deploy Suarez as the primary designated hitter while also giving him occasional starts at both corner infield spots.
Eugenio Suarez Eugenio Suarez Inks one-year deal with Cincinnati Sun, Feb 1, 2026, 4:32 PM Suarez and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract Sunday that includes a $16 million mutual option for the 2027 season, pending a physical, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Suarez will reunite with the Reds, whom he spent seven seasons with from 2015 to 2021 before being traded to the Mariners in March of 2022. Passan relays that Suarez will likely see most of his at-bats as the Reds' designated hitter but should also get some reps at the corners. Suarez ended the 2025 season with the Mariners after being traded by the Diamondbacks in July. His .896 OPS with Arizona dipped noticeably to .683 with Seattle, and he ended the 2025 regular season having posted a .228/.298/.526 slash line with four steals, 91 runs, 49 home runs and 118 RBI over 657 plate appearances.
JJ Bleday JJ Bleday Has option remaining Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 9:17 AM Bleday still has a minor-league option remaining, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Bleday was signed as a free agent this offseason, and the option gives the organization flexibility when finalizing its Opening Day roster. In publishing a first attempt at a roster projection, Rosecrans included the lefty-hitting outfielder on the active roster but did not pencil him into the projected starting lineup. Bleday, who can play all three outfield spots, is best suited and most likely to see time in left field. Will Benson, another lefty batter that has an option remaining, is slotted in left field against right-handers while Spencer Steer gets the nod against lefties. The Reds are hoping Bleday returns to his 2024 form, which saw him belt 20 home runs with a .761 OPS over 159 games for the Athletics.
Darren McCaughan Darren McCaughan Nabs NRI deal from Reds Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 4:37 PM McCaughan signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Wednesday and was invited to spring training, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports. Analysis: McCaughan allowed just one run in 5.1 innings during his three appearances with the Twins last season. He didn't have nearly the same level of success in the minors, however, turning in a 5.10 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 97 frames with Triple-A St. Paul. Barring a significant turnaround, the 29-year-old righty will likely remain at Triple-A for the vast majority of 2026.
Davis Daniel Davis Daniel Inks minors deal with Cincy Sun, Jan 25, 2026, 1:30 PM Daniel signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Thursday. Analysis: The right-hander spent the 2025 campaign with Atlanta, making three appearances (two starts) in the majors. Daniel surrendered six earned runs over 10 frames in those outings and also struggled at Triple-A Gwinnett with a 5.51 ERA over 96.1 innings.
Anthony Misiewicz Anthony Misiewicz Gets NRI pact from Reds Fri, Jan 23, 2026, 2:11 PM The Reds signed Misiewicz to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training. Analysis: Misiewicz made five appearances for the Twins this past season, yielding five runs with a 5:4 K:BB over 4.2 frames. The bulk of his year was spent at Triple-A St. Paul, where he held a 3.82 ERA and 30:11 K:BB across 33 innings. Misiewicz will compete for a bullpen job in Cincinnati, but the southpaw is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Louisville bullpen.