Chase One And Chase Two Pitch To San Diego This Afternoon

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Chase Burns will make his second start in the Cactus League and the plans are believed to be for Burns to pitch three innings.

Terry Francona leaves the pitching up to pitching coach Derek Johnson. 

"DJ is out today, so Matt Tracy will handle it," Francona said.

Johnson will be out along with TeJay Antone, who was scheduled to pitch, and several others with what is believed to be food poisoning.

Chase Petty will follow Burns. The other key pitcher Connor Phillips will try to erase his first appearance in which he walked three batters.

The lineup facing the Padres is:

TJ Friedl LF

Matt McLain 2B

Elly De La Cruz SS

Eugenio Suarez 3B

Spencer Steer 1B

Will Benson DH

Noelvi Marte RF

Dane Myers CF

Will Banfield C

TJ Friedl Tests Left Field In Cactus League

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

An eye rolling spring training lineup features TJ Friedl in left field today (022626) against the San Diego Padres.

It is one of those spring training experiments that may or may not be significant when the season starts.

Friedl has been the main character in center field for the last five seasons. The 30-year old leadoff hitter played 362 games in center, 53 in left and 17 in right.

Manager Terry Francona just once to see how it looks in Cactus League under a difficult acid test from the Arizona sky.

"If you don't do something fundamentally right out here, you will pay for it," Francona said. "If you can play outfield here, you can play it anywhere. The high sky, the sun, big outfields, it's interesting."

Francona wants Friedl to get some repetitions in left with the flexibility that the acquisition of Dane Myers brings.

"Myers is such a good center fielder," Francona said. "You try to cover things in spring training so when the season happens, you don't look back as say God dang it, I should have done that in spring training. I talked to TJ about it back a little bit. I betcha he'll play three or for games this spring, not a lot, but just to cover. If we're playing a certain leftie, more times than not, TJ still plays but if Myers is in there it might make sense to put him there."

Myers bats right handed while Friedl's main backup in center is left handed hitting Will Benson.

Noelvi Marte had some problems with the Arizona sky on Sunday against the Seattle Mariners, appearing to lose the ball in the sun.

"He just didn't get back well enough and he knew it right away. To his credit, he came right up to me and goes, I got to get behind it. I said yeah. That ball he caught at the last week of last season, if he drifts on that, he doesn't catch that. And he knew it right away so that's good," Francona said.

Nick Lodolo Throws Strikes Sal Stewart Strikes With The Bat

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Nick Lodolo struck out the side in the first inning, aided by a successful challenge by Jose Trevino on a 3-2 pitch.

Lodolo worked around an infield single and a single by Madeira High School graduate Andrew Benintendi with one out. He struck out Jarred Kelenic and retired Korey Lee on a ground out. 

Lodolo finished two innings on two hits, no walks and four strikeouts.

"Lodolo was good 40 pitches which is max where we wanted him," Francona said. "There was a ton of foul balls. There were some deep counts because of it. I thought his stuff was good," Francona said.

Lodolo continues to concentrate on throwing strikes.

"I think pretty much for the whole game, I think I had 75% strikes," Lodolo said. "I think I'm a lot further ahead physically than I've been. I feel like I put myself in a good spot. I feel like my stuffs good enough to be in the zone, quite a bit."

Sal Stewart hit his first home run of the spring against Chicago White Sox starter, Davis Martin.

Stewart also made a nice play in the field. He put in a lot of work on his mobility in the offseason. Mike Napoli became his mentor.

"I've been ready to start the season. I'm excited you know," Stewart said. "I've got a lot to prove. Nap is someone, I can really rely on. He is someone I can go to with questions on and off the field. I'm fortunate to have Nap in my life."

Francona mentioned the work he put in over the winter.

"He (Stewart) is moving better as you can tell," Francona said. "It is easy to say it but he really followed through on it. He was sending me videos. He was proud of what he was doing and he should be. I mean golly he worked his ass off."

JJ Bleday launched a long home run against Jordan Hicks following a single by Hector Rodriguez. 

Lyon Richardson allowed a home run to Colson Montgomery.

The White Sox scored a meaningless run in the bottom of the ninth but the Reds won 3-2 for it's second straight win.

ABS Challenge

The home plate umpire Paul Clemons was challenged by Reds catcher Jose Trevino on a 3-2 pitch by Lodolo to Chase Meidroth that negated a leadoff walk and turned it into a strikeout.

"The ABS is critical, like today, the first hitter of the game, you walk him and you're out of the stretch before you're even into the game. You get an out. It is going to be interesting," Francona said.

White Sox catcher Korey Lee challenged a ball call that was confirmed. Lee won a challenge leading off the fifth inning against Anthony Misiewicz.

Garrett Hampson challenged a strike call on a 2-0 count that was overturned to give him a 3-0 count.

Trevino lost a challenge with Luisangel Acuna batting. Acuna singled on the next pitch.

Reds Send Nick Lodolo Against The Chicago White Sox For His First Spring Effort

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Nick Lodolo will start for the first time this spring against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday (Frebruary 25, 2026).

Lodolo set career highs with 28 starts and 156 2/3 innings. He recorded a career-low 3.33 ERA. 

The 28-year old left hander, not only struck out a career-high 156 batters but also walked fewer hitter significantly. Lodolo walked just 31 batters or 1.8 per game.

He authored two complete games, becoming a rarity in baseball in the modern era. Lodolo blanked Washington on July 23 and got credit for a rain-shortened six inning game against Minnesota on June 18.

The Lineup 

Hector Rodriguez LF

Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B

JJ Bleday RF

Sal Stewart 1B

Nathaniel Lowe DH

Jose Trevino C

Blake Dunn CF

Garrett Hampson 2B

Edwin Arroyo SS

Rodriguez is an interesting player. He is blessed with a good bat and is aggressive.

One coach said, "He'd swing at the rosin bag."

"He'd probably hit it," Francona said.

Reds Have A Substitute First Base Coach

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Reds first base coach Colin Cowgill injured his knee in Goodyear. He flew home to Cincinnati and had cartilage repaired. He will miss time.

"Knowing him he will come back sooner than we think because he's a maniac," Terry Francona quipped.

In the interim Mike Napoli will take over as first base coach.

"We appreciate him doing it. It is important. Nap was loving his new job (assistent bench coach). He is learning things there," Francona said. 

Cowgill is the Reds' outfield and base running coach.

The Reds are emphasizing base running to improve judgement of the players. They want to go first to third more often. 

"I think we can do better at knowing where the ball is, all the time, trying to eliminate," Francona said. "We are fast for the most part. I don't think we were quite as aggressive last year as we were in the past. We were still one of the more aggressive teams. But when guys are sliding into second and the ball is still in the outfield, we have to be better at knowing where the ball is. You have to know within in a step or two. When the ball is swung at you glance in. That's all it is, it's a glance. Some guys are good at it. (Matt) McLain is really good at it. Some guys weren't taught that when they were young. Then it is a little bit of a challenge. We want to do it the best we can. If you don't know where the ball is you're relying on a little bit of luck. You don't want to do that. We want to know where the ball is to take advantage of our speed."

Napoli was never a speedster being a catcher with a 6'1", 225 pound frame but he knows how to run the bases.

"Having CC out doesn't help," said Francona referring to his base running agenda.

The Reds also have a new third base coach in Willie Harris.

Brandon Williamson And Andrew Abbott Shake Off Rust Elly De La Cruz And Eugenio Suarez Homer

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Andrew Abbott got the first five Kansas City batters out, then allowed a single to Michael Massey and a home run to Josh Rojas.

Abbott, who didn't pitch in a Cactus League game last season got into action early this spring after a normal off season.

Abbott pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits with no walks. He struck out two.

"I was executing all five (pitches) in the zone. They had some good swings but some bad swings too. That was encouraging," Abbott said. "The best thing was efficiency. It was what we set up to do at the end of last year. We want to continue that into the season."

Abbott was so efficient he went to the bullpen to throw more after he left the game. A normal off season helped.

"It felt fantastic to be out there. Last year I waited two to three weeks to get back out there," Abbott said. "Even when I got back on the mound, I wasn't up to par yet. Coming in, no strings attached was great. Leaving the game feeling great makes you smile. There were no hiccups or anything during the off season."

Abbott is looking for a big year for himself and the team.

"I was reliable last year. That's what I want to be for the team. I want to be out there. I want to throw a lot of innings for the team. I want to make 30-32 starts. Whatever capacity I can help, I'm going to do it."

Abbott logged a career-high 166 1/3 innings last season.

Brandon Williamson made 23 starts in 2023 but was limited to three starts in 2024. The 27-year old battled a strained left shoulder from March on. Surgery repaired his left elbow in October 2024. His last game was on September 17, 2024.

Williamson struck out the side in his first inning. He gave up a home run to Jac Castiglione and a run scoring double to Rojas in his second inning.

"Watching Williamson, that was some good stuff," Francona said. "I know Abbott gave up the home run on an 0-2 fastball but he threw the ball really well. Williamson was really good. That was kind of exciting to watch."

He finished his outing with two innings, two runs on three hits, no walks and four strikeouts.

"Watching B Will out there makes me smile too. We watched him grinding his entire off season and season last year," Abbott said.

Elly De La Cruz hit a 432 foot home run off of Carlos Estevez. Eugenio Suarez followed immediately after it with a home run.

"When Elly hit it I kinda put my head down," Francona said. "I'm going to stop doing that. I thought it was a pop up. We did some good things."

The Reds trailed 4-3 going into the bottom of the ninth. Sal Stewart singled to open the inning. Running on a pitch to Leo Balcazar, Stewart took the tying run to third base with no outs. Edwin Arroyo singled to tie the game. Cam Collier hit into a force play that sent Balcazar to third with one out. Michael Toglia, a non-roster player with three years experience singled into the hole between first and second to give the Reds' their first win of the spring.

"I love that. You know what? There are different reasons in a day to be excited. We certainly want the guys to play well because that's important and when they come out. There is a difference and good for them. I want them to excited for that. We'll talk about it in the morning," Francona said.

ABS Challenges

Home plate umpire, Steven Jaschinski was challenged five times and overturned twice.

Suarez challenged a strike call in the second inning and won the challenge. He struck out anyway.

Dane Myers challenged a called third strike on a 3-2 pitch in the second inning. It was also overturned. It made a big difference. Instead of runners on first and second with two outs, the reversed call setup the Reds with the bases loaded and one out. TJ Friedl's force of Myers allowed the Reds to score their first run instead of being the third out.

Kansas City batters challenged strikes thrown by Williamson in the third bot were upheld and resulted in strike outs.

The Reds challenged another ball call later and it was upheld with no effect on the game.

Andrew Abbott Gets First Start In A New Spring

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

This time a year ago, Andrew Abbott was antsy about getting to throw in the spring. He was still nursing a strained left shoulder.

The injury ended his season on August 20, 2024. The injury lingered and he was held out of competition in the Cactus League with the rotator cup in his left shoulder strained. The 26-year old made two starts at Louisville before appearing in his first regular season game on April 12, a winning five inning effort against Pittsburgh.

Abbott was not contrary or boisterous about sitting out the start of the season, but clearly didn't like it.

"We all did the right thing. We listened to the medical people," Francona said. "We convinced him because he was chomping at the bit. As good players and good pitchers do."

Abbott went on to be an All-Star with a 10-7 record in 29 starts with a career-low 2.87 ERA in a career-high 166 1/3 innings. It was his second consecutive 10-win season.

Abbott received from the local chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America the 2025 Ernie Lombardi Award as the Reds' Most Valuable Player and the Johnny Vander Meer Awardas the Reds' Most Outstanding Pitcher. He became the sixth Reds pitcher since the Vander Meer Award was established in 1969 to receive both awards in the same season and the seventh Reds pitcher (eighth occurrence) to be named team MVP.

To illustrate how the handling of Abbott's injury paid off, He pitched to a 0.55 ERA (32.2ip, 3r/2er) across 6 starts in May, It was the third-lowest mark by a Reds pitcher in a calendar month (min. 30ip) since earned runs became an official stat in the NationalLeague in 1912, behind only John Franco (0.30, August 1985) and Dolf Luque (0.50, June 1923).

Abbott will get his first start of spring training against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday (February 24, 2026), after a normal off season of preparation.

The Reds will send this lineup against Kansas City.

TJ Friedl DH

Matt McLain 2B

Elly De La Cruz SS

Eugenio Suarez 3B

Spencer Steer 1B

Will Benson LF

Tyler Stephenson C

Noelvi Marte RF

Dane Myers CF

Reds Bats Break Out Against Seattle But Arms Implode

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

The Seattle Mariners took advantage of wildness on the Reds' pitching staff to wipe out an 8-2 deficit and turn it into a 14-8 win.

Seattle scored nine runs in the last three innings after starters for both teams left the game.

The Reds put together a string of six hits against Seattle Mariners' starter, Randy Dobnak.

Jose Trevino and Ke'Bryan Hayes singled. JJ Bleday doubled them both home. Rece Hinds reached on an infield single. TJ Friedl singled and Matt McLain doubled to cap thhe scoring at five.

"Early on we did a lot of things good," Terry Francona said.

The Mariners scored off Reds' minor leaguer, Jose Franco. He gave up a run on three hits in his inning, striking out two, including Cal Raleigh.

"I thought he threw the ball o.k." Francona said. 

Elly De La Cruz doubled twice. He hit a two-out double in the first inning and drove in two runs with a double in the fourth inning.

Only Eugenio Suarez and Spencer Steer failed to get a hit among the starters. Matt McLain, Bleday and Hinds had two hits.

The Reds pitchers surrendered the lead.

Graham Ashcraft pitched a scoreless inning. Brock Burke allowed a run on two hits. Connor Phillips gave up a double but walked four straight batters with two out, allowing three runs when Brock Rodden hit a two-run sejaingle off Julian Garcia.

Tejay Antone pitched a 1-2-3 seventh.

"It was good to see him out there. He's worked so hard," said Francona of the pitcher who had his third surgery over a year ago,

Lyon Richardson gave up two runs on three hits and a walk.

Zach got wo outs to start the eighth but walked in the tying run after his fourth straight walk. Luis Mey got out of the inning but was roughed up in the ninth when Seattle scored six runs. Mey got one out in the ninth but was hit hard. He gave up five runs on four hits and a walk. 

Irvin Machuca was summoned from the minor camp to be the emergency pitcher of last resort. He gave up a three run home run to Brennen Davis.

Reds pitchers allowed 17 hits and 10 walks.

"Early on our guys did fine. Ashcraft had one walk. Lyon had one and it went to shit from there," Francona said. "I know its early but I don't care what time of the year it is. That's a tough way to win. During the season I'd be suicidal. Now I'm just aggravated."

Home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski was challenged nine times. Six were over turned. Catcher P.J. Higgins of the Reds made three challenges and all were overturned.

Matt McLain And Eugenio Suarez Start Against The Seattle Mariners

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Matt McLain gets his first Cactus League start against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday February 22.

Seattle just missed its first World Series appearance in history last season, losing in seven games to the Toronto Blue Jays.

McLain suffered through a rough year but Terry Francona believes he would make an ideal second hole batter behind TJ Friedl.

One year off an injury that cost him the 2024 season, McLain's average slipped from .290 in 89 games in 2023 to .220 in 147 games last season. More telling is his power numbers dropped from 23 doubles to 18. He hit three triples in 2023 and none last season. His home runs were also down, slightly numerically but his 16 home runs came in 403 plate appearances in 2023 to 15 in 577 appearances last year.

Contributing to the decline is the lingering effect of the injury that forced surgery on his non throwing left shoulder.

"You hear so many guys that they are a year out (after an injury)," Francona explained. "I don't think you want to tell a guy before the season that your going to struggle but he's not the first guy that's happened to. It is not on purpose."

"Just like everybody, you want Matt to feel good about himself when he leaves here," Francona said. "If I had a pill (to make them feel good) I'd probably get in trouble or I'd do it.  But you don't want them to get ready too early. There has to be some reason to it."

McLain had a hot start last spring but faded toward the start of the season. Still in all, Francona placed him in the two hole. The Reds' first pick in the 2018 draft spent 68 games batting second in the lineup. Francona eventually decided to move him down. He started 12 games batting eighth and 54 more batting ninth.

"One you got to have somebody else," Francona said. "My concern last year was. I had a ton of confidence in him. Two every time we kept moving people; because they are young, they kept getting beat up. There's got to be a reason to help your team and the guy."

"McLain is stronger this year. He looks stronger," Francona observed. He starts the season at the age of 26.

McLain bats behind TJ Friedl today.

Elly De La Cruz will bat third and play shortstop.

Eugenio Suarez will be the DH.

Suarez hit .308 in the ALCS last season with two home runs. It was his second tour of duty with Seattle after he was a late season acquisition from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Francona had an enthusiastic pre game greeting for Suarez in the Cactus League opener on Saturday.

"I think every body is excited to see Geno. I don't think you have to hide it," Francona said. "He's loving it being here and so are we. In the drills he brings energy and enthusiasm. Guys gravitate towards him. Now I can pull for him. Playing against him, I was always yelling at him to pop up because he made me nervous but I felt like i knew him because everybody here knew him so well."

Spencer Steer will hit fifth and play first base.

Jose Trevino will catch and bat sixth. 

Ke'Bryan Hayes bats seventh at third base.

JJ Bleday is in left field batting eighth with Rece Hinds in right field and batting ninth.

RHP Jose Franco will be the starting pitcher.

Franco is a 25-year old right hander from Venezuela, trying to stick in the majors for the first time. He started 12 games at Chattanooga before advancing to Louisville and making 14 more starts. Combined he held a 10-4 record with a 3.11 ERA. Franco struck out 118 batters in 110 innings and walked 54.

Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder And Julian Aguiar Start Competition For Rotation Spot Against Cleveland

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

The Cleveland Guardians came back to take the first of three games between the Ohio rivals, 4-2.

The Reds jumped to a tw-run lead when former Cleveland top draft choice followed Edwin Arroyo's leadoff double in the third inning with a home run against, Colin Holderman.

Three youthful starters pitched two innings each and left with the score tied after six innings.

The Wake Forest duo of Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder pitched the first four frames. Julian Aguiar came back from injury and pitched two innings. Lowder and Aguiar made their first appearance against big league competition since 2024.

Burns pitched the first two innings. He walked three batters but didn't allow a hit. He is competing for the fifth spot in the Reds' starting rotation. He struck out two with 32 pitches, 15 for strikes.

"It felt good. It's good to have the first one out of the way. I had the jitters but it's good. It shows you care," Burns said.

He admitted to pulling his fastball a little which caused the walks but he rated his change up as really good. 

"To be able to work on a slider and get a good hitter like (Jose) Ramirez made me realize it is going to be a good pitch for me," Burns said.

Lowder also retired Ramirez. It was good for Terry Francona to see but he cautioned that, "Josie isn't in mid season form yet." Francona managed Ramirez in Cleveland during the All-Star's early years.

Burns stayed out to watch his college teammate navigate his two innings.

"He's my boy," Burns said. "It was good to see him out there, feeling good and feeling healthy. His change up is really nasty. I've been throwing with him every day so I've gotten to see what he's working on."

Lowder had a year of rehab behind him and this was his first competition in over a year.

"It wasn't bad," Lowder said. "I still have stuff to work on but it felt really good. I got to compete a little bit, work with guys on base a little. It was pretty fun. I have to figure out the bullpen a little bit. I think a threw too many pitches out there. I was excited to see (Steven Kwan) and Ramirez. They had a lot of good lefties. It was a good challenge for me."

Aguiar followed with two innings, allowing a run on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts.

The 24-year old last pitched on September 19, 2024 against Atlanta. He had "Tommy John" surgery in October of 2024.

"It was exciting to be able to come back and enjoy the game of baseball that we love," Aguiar said. "It is something I've been doing my whole life, really. I used all of my pitches you can't be afraid to use any of your pitches. I went out and attacked to zone. I had the jitters, even now, I'm still excited and glad we got through it. It wasn't hard sitting out it is just a mind set. You have to tell yourself you're not competing in games and enjoy your time in the gym and just get after it and it will go by quick. I learned a lot."

Francona enjoyed watching the trio, two of which he didn't see against competition last year.

"Burns walked three which he wasn't happy about but the ball came out fine. I thought Lowder was really good. The second inning especially. Aggie had a low pitch count because of the double play, caught stealing and threw a lot of pitches in his second inning. He gave up back-to-back doubles. He hadn't pitched in 15 months. That was fun to watch."

It was good to get the first game out of the way.

"We're talking about making the clubs and all that but they haven't pitched competitively in a long time. What is even more important is when they throw a side and get into a routine," Francona said.

Carter Kieboom hit a two-run double off non-roster RHP Hagen Danner in the seventh to seal the game.

Tyler Stephenson opened the Cactus League with a solid single to center off Cleveland Guardians starter, Logan Allen. 

The Reds had four hits Arroyo's double, Benson's home run and Stephenson's single. Blake Dunn fighting to win a roster spot singled.

NOTE

Sal Stewart won an ABS challenge in the first inning. He was called out on strikes but challenged and took a walk instead.

"It looked like he challenged every pitch. He kinda goes to his head all the time. He was successful. Which doesn't surprise me,"  Francona said.