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Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo Exits rehab start early
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 6:53 PM
Lodolo (blister) exited his minor-league rehab start with Single-A Daytona in the third inning, Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: Lodolo was looking to move past the blister on his left index finger by making one start with Single-A Daytona, but the blister reared its ugly head with two outs in the top of the third, forcing the southpaw out of the contest. The hope was that the 28-year-old would be able to return to the Reds in the coming days, but that now appears to be unlikely. Lodolo retired all eight batters he faced in order Thursday, striking out four in the process, and he finished having thrown just 40 pitches when he was scheduled to throw between 60 and 65. |
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Nathaniel Lowe Nathaniel Lowe Makes first start
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 7:11 AM
Lowe served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Pirates.
Analysis: Lowe made his first start of the season and managed to contribute against Pittsburgh righty Paul Skenes. When the left-handed Mason Montgomery relieved Skenes in the sixth inning, Lowe was replaced by a pinch hitter. With the hot-hitting Sal Stewart at first base and Eugenio Suarez at DH, there haven't been many opportunities for Lowe early in the regular season. |
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Caleb Ferguson Caleb Ferguson Throws on flat ground
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 7:04 AM
Ferguson (oblique) threw from 60 feet on flat ground Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Ferguson will join Cincinnati on its seven-game road trip that begins Friday in Texas before heading to Miami next week. Going out on the road with the team suggests the left-handed reliever is nearing a return, but the next step will be throwing off a mound. |
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Nick Lodolo Nick Lodolo May need one rehab start
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 6:58 AM
Lodolo (blister) is scheduled to throw between 60 and 65 pitches during Thursday's rehab start for Single-A Daytona, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: If all goes well, Lodolo could rejoin the Reds during a four-game series against the Marlins that begins Monday. He was bothered by a blister late in spring training that eventually forced him to the 15-day injured list to open the regular season. |
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Eugenio Suarez Eugenio Suarez Makes impact off bench
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 6:51 AM
Suarez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to PIttsburgh.
Analysis: Suarez homered as a pinch hitter and finished out the game as the designated hitter. The blast was his second of the season, upped his RBI total to six and extended a hit streak to five games. The Reds are off Thursday before hitting the road to begin a three-game set against the Rangers. |
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Andrew Abbott Andrew Abbott Bounced by Bucs
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 3:47 PM
Abbott (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings as the Reds fell 8-3 to the Pirates. He struck out five.
Analysis: The big blow off Abbott was a three-run homer by Oneil Cruz in the first inning, and while the southpaw settled down from there, that was too much of a cushion to give Paul Skenes. Abbott tossed 55 of 88 pitches for strikes, and through his first two starts of the year he's managed a 3.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB in 11.2 innings. He'll look for his first win of 2026 in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Miami. |
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Eugenio Suarez Eugenio Suarez Idle for day game
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 8:21 AM
Suarez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.
Analysis: Nathaniel Lowe will draw the start at designated hitter while Suarez rests for the first time this season as the Reds close out their series against Pittsburgh with a day game after a night game. Through Cincinnati's first five games, Suarez has gone 4-for-21 with one home run, one walk, four RBI and an additional run while striking out nine times. |
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Brandon Williamson Brandon Williamson Rude welcome in 2026 debut
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 7:35 AM
Williamson (0-1) was the losing pitcher Tuesday when he allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings in an 8-3 loss to Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Williamson was roughed up by the Pirates in his first big-league start in 560 days. The left-hander avoided damage in the first inning, when he gave up a single and a walk to the first two batters, but the Pirates eventually got to him in the second. A three-run home run from Ryan O'Hearn and a solo blast by Bryan Reynolds highlighted Pittsburgh's five-run frame. "Obviously I threw a few too many heaters over the plate," Williamson told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "Hindsight 20/20, I throw something else or locate it a little bit. Really the three-run shot was the dagger." Williamson later gave up a third home run in the fourth inning. He's scheduled to make his next start April 6 against the Marlins, but Williamson did little to suggest he'll keep his spot in the rotation once Nick Lodolo (finger) is cleared to make his season debut. |
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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, and this marks the first time Marte has been in the lineup against a righty this season in the three times the Reds have gone up against a right-hander. 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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