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Kyle Nicolas Kyle Nicolas Optioned to Louisville Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 6:36 PM Nicolas was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday. Analysis: Nicolas will head to Louisville after having appeared in one contest with the Reds during spring training, giving up one run on four walks over two-thirds of an inning. The right-hander was dealt to the Reds in exchange for outfielder Tyler Callihan on March 4, but he ultimately saw limited action during the spring with Cincinnati. Nicolas will now have to wait for his next chance with the major-league roster.
Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Departs with finger blister Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 2:36 PM Lodolo was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League start against the Guardians due to a blister on his left index finger, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports. Analysis: The left-hander allowed two runs on a walk and a two-run homer before exiting the contest without recording an out. It's a concerning development in Lodolo's final outing before the regular season, especially given that he's had blister issues in the past. It's possible that the Reds could be pulling him early as a precautionary measure. He should be considered day-to-day for now, with his status likely to be updated in the next day or two.
Will Benson Will Benson Set for roster spot Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 9:47 AM Benson is expected to make the Opening Day roster, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Analysis: The Reds announced a slew of roster moves Saturday and Benson survived the cuts, as both JJ Bleday and Rece Hinds were optioned to Triple-A Louisville. The roster doesn't have to be officially set until just before Opening Day, so a late waiver claim could bring a change. Benson, who swatted his fifth spring home run Saturday, is batting .250 (10-for-40) with eight walks, eight RBI and 14 runs scored over 16 Cactus League games.
Andrew Abbott Andrew Abbott Another shaky outing Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 9:36 AM Abbott allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the White Sox. Analysis: Abbott made his sixth and final Cactus League start before taking the mound Opening Day against the Red Sox. The good news is that the left-hander upped his pitch count to 84 (52 strikes), and he was better than his previous outing when he gave up eight runs on eight hits and three walks over two innings. He finished the spring having allowed home runs in all six of his outings with an 11.72 ERA, eight walks and 28 hits, but 22 strikeouts over 17.2 innings.
Nathaniel Lowe Nathaniel Lowe Expected to make roster Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 7:27 PM Lowe has made the Reds' Opening Day roster in a reserve role, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports. Analysis: Lowe has made a strong case for a roster spot this spring, slashing .270/.357/.622 with three home runs, four doubles and eight RBI through 15 games. Though the veteran infielder will break camp with the big-league club, his fantasy value will likely be limited since the Reds are intending to use him in a bench role. Lowe signed with Cincinnati on a minor-league contract in mid-February, so he'll still need to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day.
Zach Maxwell Zach Maxwell Optioned to Triple-A Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 4:10 PM The Reds optioned Maxwell to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday. Analysis: Maxwell struggled to limit traffic on the basepaths during spring training, posting a 5.40 ERA and 2.04 WHIP over 8.1 innings, though he managed to collect 13 strikeouts in that span. If the 25-year-old can right the ship at Louisville, the Reds may consider recalling him to join the big-league bullpen as a depth piece.
Rece Hinds Rece Hinds Sent down to Louisville Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 4:03 PM The Reds optioned Hinds to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday. Analysis: Hinds will head back to the minors to begin the new season despite swinging a scorching bat this spring (1.388 OPS). The 25-year-old was a major offensive threat in the minors last season too, as he slashed .302/.359/.563 with 24 homers, 83 RBI, 79 runs scored and 21 steals across 435 plate appearances. If his impressive offensive performance continues into the start of the 2026 Triple-A season, he could earn a spot on the big-league roster relatively soon.
JJ Bleday JJ Bleday Optioned to Louisville Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 3:55 PM The Reds optioned Bleday to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday. Analysis: Bleday made a great case to be included on the Opening Day squad by slashing .317/.364/.683 with four homers, 11 RBI and eight runs scored over 44 plate appearances in the Cactus League. However, he will come up short and instead begin his first season with the Reds in Triple-A, where he posted a .980 OPS over 132 plate appearances in 2025.
Brandon Williamson Brandon Williamson Sharp in final tuneup Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 9:18 AM Williamson allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out two over 5.1 innings in Friday's spring start against the Cubs. Analysis: Williamson retired the first seven batters he faced and kept the Cubs scoreless through four innings by inducing a couple of double-play groundouts to end the third and fourth innings. The left-hander finished off a promising spring training, having posted a 1.65 ERA with 15 strikeouts and three walks over 16.1 Cactus League innings. Williamson will be part of a unique three-starter unit, along with Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, that will occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the Cincinnati rotation.
Eugenio Suarez Eugenio Suarez Back in camp Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 9:08 AM Suarez went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's spring game against the Cubs. Analysis: A triumphant Suarez returned to Cactus League action following his starring role for Team Venezuela in its victory in the World Baseball Classic final over Team USA. On Friday, he served as Reds' designated hitter, which will be his everyday role in 2026 with occasional starts at corner infield.
Tyler Stephenson Tyler Stephenson Pops first spring homer Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 9:00 AM Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's spring game against the Cubs. Analysis: Stephenson popped a second-inning homer, his first of the Cactus League. The catcher appears to be coming around with hits in three of his last four games but is batting just .176 (6-for-34) this spring. Stephenson will be Cincinnati's starting catcher, but those occasional starts he used to get as a designated hitter may dry up in 2026. Eugenio Suarez is expected to serve as the everyday DH this season.
Brady Singer Brady Singer Clear of blister Fri, Mar 20, 2026, 3:00 PM Singer is fully recovered from his finger blister and will start Monday's exhibition game against the Brewers, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports. Analysis: The right-hander exited Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies due to the blister, but he'll stay on his regular pitching schedule and make his final spring start Monday. Singer posted a 4.03 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 163:60 K:BB over 32 regular-season starts last year but has been up-and-down during spring training with a 3.55 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB in 12.2 frames.
Brady Singer Brady Singer Plans to make next start Fri, Mar 20, 2026, 7:22 AM Singer (blister) expects to make his next start, MLB.com reports. Analysis: The Reds haven't projected starters beyond Friday, so Singer's next scheduled start is not known. Given the typical five-game rotation, the right-hander would be in line to pitch the final Cactus League tilt for Cincinnati next Tuesday. Singer was prematurely removed from a start Wednesday when a blister developed on his right index finger. He cited the Arizona heat as a factor.
Rece Hinds Rece Hinds Bids for roster spot Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 8:35 AM Hinds started at designated hitter and went 2-for-2 with a walk, a double and a solo home run in Wednesday's spring game against the Angels. Analysis: Hinds has delivered a monster spring, going 15-for-38 (.395) with four doubles, one triple, five home runs, 11 RBI and nine runs scored. In any other year, he might be a no-brainer to claim a roster spot, but the Reds have several productive outfielders this spring. At this point, beyond the projected starters, there appear to be two outfield spots available. Hinds, Will Benson (1,038 OPS, four HR), JJ Bleday (1.072, four HR) and Dane Myers (1.180 OPS) are still in the mix.
Luis Mey Luis Mey Optioned to Triple-A Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 6:22 PM The Reds optioned Mey to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. Analysis: Mey will fall short of a spot in Cincinnati's Opening Day bullpen after surrendering nine earned runs in just six Cactus League innings. Although he struggled this spring, the 24-year-old righty posted a 3.43 ERA in 21 innings with the Reds last season and a 2.48 ERA across 40 frames in the minors, so he figures to rejoin the big-league squad at some point this year whenever Cincinnati needs a fresh arm.
Brady Singer Brady Singer Exits with blister Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 4:18 PM Singer was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies due to a blister, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports. Analysis: Singer made it through 3.2 scoreless innings before leaving the game, during which he surrendered two hits and a walk while striking out three batters. The right-hander's blister could prevent him from making another appearance before the end of spring training, and it's unknown whether he'll be ready for his first regular-season appearance -- slated to come against the Red Sox on March 29.
Noelvi Marte Noelvi Marte Gets time in CF Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 8:21 AM Marte started in center field and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's spring game against Cleveland. Analysis: Marte gave the Reds an early lead with his second-inning homer, his third of the Cactus League. Normally a right fielder, Marte made a third consecutive start in center field, as the club seeks to expand its outfield options. TJ Friedl remains the primary center fielder. Marte is batting .275 (11-for-40) with four doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI through 14 Cactus League contests.
Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Ramping up Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 8:10 AM Lodolo allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits while striking out seven over 4.2 innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Guardians. Analysis: Lodolo made his fourth Cactus League start and upped his pitch count to 77 (46 strikes), with one start remaining before the regular season begins. The lefty allowed a home run for the third consecutive outing but was much improved from his previous outing, when the Dodgers touched him for six runs. Lodolo is set to start the Reds' second game of the regular season.
Chase Burns Chase Burns Makes his first Opening Day roster Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 5:39 PM Burns was told by the Reds that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Analysis: Burns was informed along with fellow starters Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories or lack of experience. Burns got his first big league action in the second half of the 2025 season in which he struggled. The 2024 second overall pick started in eight of his 13 appearances and finished with a 4.57 ERA with a record of 0-3. During spring training in 2026, the 23-year-old gave up four runs across 3.2 innings in one outing, but has given up no more than one in his other three.
Brandon Williamson Brandon Williamson Wins roster spot Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 5:30 PM Williamson was informed that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Analysis: The Reds have given a roster spot to Williamson along with fellow starters Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories or lack of experience. Williamson went down with a full UCL tear in his left elbow in Sept. 2024, which required Tommy John surgery. With the southpaw securing an Opening Day roster spot, he will look to take the mound for the first time in a regular season game since then.