Blake Dunn And Reece Hinds Have Important Spring Camp Ahead

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Major League baseball careers are finite.

The chances of a player sticking to a big league roster starts to diminish after age 26 or so. Careers start to fade in their mid thirties.

There are always exceptions but for a majority of baseball player's window of opportunity is within this 10-years.

Blake Dunn, 27, and Rece Hinds, 25, are there now. Both have had a taste of the "Show" but have been limited by the roster numbers game and their performance.

"On a little bit different levels, like Blake made the club and kinda like, ran into some troubles. He goes to Triple A. He got beat up for awhile. Then really turned it on. He ended up having a damn good year. It was in that second half but it was good," Terry Francona said. "The same thing with Rece. Rece said, 'I got called up. I played every day in Triple A. I come up to a better league and I'm playing sometimes. I was trying to go, like 3-for-1,' I'm paraphrasing. 'but if i pinch hit, I want to hit a home run.' I told him you've got to play the game. I know it is easier said than done. But you can't play like that. It's not productive. Hopefully experience helps with that."

Dunn was around the .200 mark in mid season but ended up with a .291 average and seven home runs, scoring 59 runs, driving in 40 and stealing 24 bases off a .397 on-base-percentage. 

Hinds, who broke in hot with the Reds in 2024, hitting five home runs in his first six games and then nothing in his final 18 contests. Last season, Hinds hit .116 with two home runs in 15 games during three separate calls to the big league roster. In Louisville, Hinds was one of Triple A's best hitter. He hit .302 with 26 doubles, two triples, 24 home runs and 83 RBI. Hinds stole 21 bases, all in 107 games.

The pair are in the same situation that Will Benson was in over the last two years.

Benson, who was a number one pick of the Cleveland Indians in 2016, is now 27. Benson spent the entire 2024 season on the Major League roster. He played 128 games, hitting .187 with 14 home runs but he struck out a whopping 154 times in 388 plate appearances. That is a 39.7 strikeout percentage. Benson reduced that percentage to 26.5 in 2025. He started the season in Louisville where he played in 41 games, recording a .275 average with seven home runs. He played in 90 games for the Reds, hitting .226 with eight doubles, two triples and 12 home runs. Over the total of 131 games on both levels combined, Benson struck out 116 times in 431 plate appearances with his strikeout rates slightly lower at the big league level.

"Benson, I told him the other day this will be a way more in our meeting, this will be a way more fun meeting than it was last year," Francona said. 

Benson is important to this lineup which will be heavy with right-handed hitters. His left-handed bat will be counted on for balance. Dunn and Hinds are right handed. Their path to the big leagues will be more difficult.

Hinds is more of a corner outfielder but Benson and Dunn are center field candidates although they play mostly in right field. The Reds added Dane Myers, 29, with more experience than Hinds and Dunn. Myers played 68 games in center field last season and bats right handed. The Reds acquired JJ Bleday with four years of big league experience. He is 28 and bats left handed and played 55 games in center field for the A's last year.

Dunn, who Francona believes will be an every day player, and Hinds have less than a year of experience. They have options remaining.

Reds Players Report To Camp In Great Shape With Good Meeting With Francona

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

The position players reported today. All of them had intense physicals and a face-to-face meeting with the manager, Terry Francona and the general manager, Brad Meador.

"We went through all our meetings. These guys are just good kids. They are really fun to be around. This usually a longer day for me but you will the obligation to go beyond. I end up feeling better," Francona said.

The Reds are young still but now have more players that had the experience to discover what it takes to go into the post season.

"I told them after that loss in LA. Remember how good it felt when we popped champagne. Now remember how shitty this feels," Francona recalled. "I think they took that mentality and thought, hey this might be fun and let's go."

"We might be younger than some of the teams we're competing against but we've got to go toe-to-toe with them. These guys have a few years under their belt now. It's time. Let's go."

Francona told them he was proud of them for showing up in shape ready to go.

"Elly (De La Cruz) tested out so good; (Noelvi) Marte, they all did. (Spencer) Steer didn't show up by luck feeling good."

Christian Encarnacion-Strand is an exception. He strained a hamstring working out in January. He is on a running program and may miss the early Cactus League games.

Left-handed minor league pitcher Joel Valdez will be shut down for a few weeks with a shoulder strain and will be shut down for a few weeks.

Those so far are the only players  among the 56, that start full workouts on Monday (2-16-26).

A couple of players, coming off injuries from last season are healthy again.

Tyler Callihan, who fractured his left forearm in an ugly incident in Atlanta last season, has been cleared.

"Callihan was technically cleared today because he went through his physical," Francona said. "He's been doing everything but he had to be okayed. He's fine. He missed a year of development. I told him not to back him off, just compete. We have to keep an eye on him."

Cam Collier broke his left thumb in spring training. He recovered to have a decent minor league season. His power showed a dip with just four home runs in 74 games after hitting 20 in 119 games in Dayton in 2024. Collier hit 21 doubles for the third year in a row.

"He is good really good," Francona said. "We talked to him last year when it happened and told him let's take a negative and turn it into a positive, so work on your body. He did it, man. He put himself in a good position. He is still young as hell. He is still one of the younger guys in Double A. There's a lot to like."

Collier will be 22 on November 20. He played third base the majority of his career and is still learning first base but Francona thinks it will be helpful if he can play both.

"It is going to be crowded for those younger guys but we'll figure it out," Francona concluded. "The more we can get players playing multiple positions is good. There is going to be a balance there."

Chase Burns First Full Camp Will Reveal His Progress

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Chase Burns had a full experience last season.

He was drafted and threw his first pitch as a professional nearly a year ago. After that he had a fast track experience, touching every rung on the baseball ladder.

performed in several roles and situations.

"I think he handled it like a veteran," Terry Francona said. "He got a lot coming at him last year. He went from A to Double A, to Triple A, to the big leagues. He started. He relieved. He got hurt. I think a full big league camp will do him good. We can't forget that this is his first full big league camp and we won't. There is a lot to like. He has a big arm. He's a good kid. He won't short change you."

He only made one appearance in the Cactus League last season, impressing Francona in that small sample.

Burns struck out eight New York Yankee batters in his first big league game and start. His next start against the Boston Red Sox was a disaster. He lasted only 1/3 inning and gave up five earned runs.

It skewed his statistics with which he finished the season.

The 23-year old made six more starts. He turned in a pair of quality starts of six innings of three runs or fewer, including his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He struck out 10 batters in four of those starts with three in a row. Altogether in those six starts he logged 29 innings and struck out 49 as apposed to 11 walks with a 3.27 ERA.

The six innings against the Pirates on August 8. He sat out a month with a grade one flexor strain on his right elbow. He missed a month and worked out of the bullpen over his last five games. Burns struck out 10 batters in relief over nine innings. He allowed just two earned runs in relief,  finishing the season with an 0-3 record but with a 4.57 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings. 

Burns will compete for the fifth spot in the Reds' starting rotation along with fellow Wake Forest pitcher, Rhett Lowder. 

Reds Emphasize Base Running In Camp Have A New Third Base Coach

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Willie Harris is the Cincinnati Reds' new third-base coach for the 2026 season, announced on November 3, 2025. He replaces J.R. House, who departed for the Diamondbacks. Harris, a 12-year MLB veteran, previously managed the Reds' Single-A affiliate in Daytona in 2025 and served as the Cubs' third-base coach from 2021-2024. 

He played in 25 games for the Reds under Dusty Baker.

"We loved J.R.," Terry Francona said. "Willie is really good. I think what he did last year spoke volumes. He was a Major League coach. He goes down and coaches A ball and they played their ass off. It was an easy hire. There were some good people out there too. We felt it was right bringing him here. He deserved it."

Francona is emphasizing base running to take advantage of the Reds' speed on the base paths.

"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."

The importance of the third base coach comes into play. Especially a ball that is in right field as the runner is going into second base.

"That's the fall back. If you don't know where the ball is you better pick up Willie and he can make up your mind for you," Francona said. "We're going to spend a lot of time on it."

Nathaniel Lowe's Left Handed Bat Joins Team As The Reds Figure Out First Base

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Nathaniel Lowe had his physical this morning, arriving to compete for a roster spot after signing a minor league contract. 

"I spoke to him and told him, he'll be treated like the veteran he deserves," Reds' manager Terry Francona said. "There are a number of guys struggling to find Major League jobs and he's one of them. I explained to him I wasn't going to guarantee anything because you can't do that. I told him I will probably under sell it. I don't feel comfortable bullshitting somebody to get him in here, then a month later it's not what I said."

"I appreciate the honesty," Lowe said. "When you're looking for a job and somewhere to be. Somebody shooting you straight is all you can ask for. When it is steaming hot in August, I don't want the bullshit. I want the truth."

Lowe, 30, had his struggles last season but is three years removed from winning the Silver Slugger award as a first baseman with the Texas Rangers. He hit .302 with 27 home runs and 76 RBI that season in 157 games. Lowe followed up with good 2023 season in which he played 161 games, hitting .262 with 17 home runs and a healthy total of 38 doubles all while earning a Gold Glove at first base.

"You've got to learn somewhere," Lowe said. "In my mind, I've never had a bad season until last year. We had a baby in the offseason. I got to spend the winter with my wife and son; get healthy again and get ready to go."

Last season Lowe's average dipped to .228. He started with the Washington Nationals, hitting .216 with 16 home runs in 119 games. He was released by the Nationals on August 16 and signed by the Boston Red Sox two days later. Lowe picked up his game in 34 games with Boston, hitting .280.

"He's been a good bat," Francona continued. "He had some downtimes last year. He's not far removed from being an All-Star. You have a non roster spot it just makes sense to bring him in."

It was a different atmosphere in Boston and Lowe took advantage.

"Jumping into that Boston club, you jump right back into that playoff contention and it makes you feel like, that's what you play for," Lowe said. "It was super cool to wear the uniform for such a historic franchise. I got to experience the Red Sox/Yankee rivalry in both Fenway and Yankee Stadium."

The free agent market is tight this winter, which is the reason, Lowe with his track record was brought in under a minor league contract when a big league contract is preferred for monetary considerations and security.

"If you look at the climate over all, there were a lot of guys in a similar position, who maybe still don't have jobs now. There are a lot of players out there that can help ball clubs win games and they just haven't gotten jobs," Lowe said. "People are looking into the future that's not really a secret. I'm happy to have a uniform now."

The contract agreement not being ideal for Lowe. He took advantage of being a father.

"There wasn't really that much anxiety," Lowe stressed. "I got to hang out with my wife and kid and work out. It is going to work the way it's supposed to." 

"It is probably too early to tell how one guy hits," Francona said. "It never fails if one guy goes down every thing changes much. Let them get comfortable and see how they play and we'll put things together the best we can."

Francona did allow that there may be a need for extra game time for all of them, including Cam Collier. 

"We didn't do this last year but we it wouldn't surprise me if we add a B game if we have enough pitching."

Steer will play other positions, depending how the roster situation is, according to Francona. "If we don't have a quote, unquote utility player (Santiago Espinal was in that role last season)."

"Steer could get pushed to second. McLain could be a backup shortstop," Francona said. "Right now he's going to play first, second and left. He took groundballs at second yesterday. He enjoys it. If something changes we'll adjust."

"The one thing I want to be cognitive of. Every manager wants to have the perfect roster but I'm not sure if that ever works," said  Francona. "I know because I sit there at night and do we run for our catcher if something happens; if Elly (De La Cruz) is DHing when somebody gets hurt. For all the worry, you just put your best team out there, knowing sometimes you might be embarrassed. You just have to live with it."

Rhett Lowder Is A Good Problem To Have

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Dateline: Cincinnati

Rhett Lowder suffered through a tough 2025. He sat out all of spring training with a forearm strain. He tweaked an oblique while throwing in recovery, then shoulder fatigue that an MRI showed was structurally sound. 

This spring, he is fighting to join the Reds' talented starting rotation that already boasts Andrew Abbott, a 2025 National League All-Star. He also was voted the Reds Most Outstanding Player and best pitcher by the Cincinnati chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. 

Along with Abbott, veteran Brady Singer is coming off a good season. Hunter Greene was very effective when healthy. Nick Lodolo was brilliant for long stretches last season.

That leaves the fifth spot up for grabs for Lowder if he is fully recovered and wins a spirited competition that includes, Chase Burns, the number one pick from the 2024 draft. Chase Petty had two dismal starts and a subpar season but has plenty of ability to go with his youth. Julian Aguilar, who showed promise in 2024, and Brandon Williamson, who is returning from injury. Carson Spiers, who actually filled in for Abbott out of spring training is also recovering from surgery and could compete later.

That leaves an opening that Lowder could fill.

"He handled a really shitty year really well," said Reds manager Terry Francona, who didn't get to see Lowder in his first year as Reds' manager. "It was a tough year. I don't care who you are. That's hard."

Lowder will turn 24 on March 8. He was selected by the Reds with their first pick in the 2023 draft out of  Wake Forest University. He made six starts for the Reds that season. Lowder had a 1.17 ERA in 30 2/3 innings, a small but encouraging sample size. He has the reputation of being a smart pitcher that has an excellent repertoire of good pitches.

Francona asked about his age. When told he was 23 he showed mock skepticism.

"He's not. He pitches like a veteran," Francona said. "It is very obvious and I've heard people say that. It jumps out. He knows what he's doing. He has a touch and feel which is rare. In our game where it's grip and rip (an emphasis on throwing velocity), it is refreshing."

Even with this reputation and the ability Lowder has shown as a top draft choice and his spot is not guaranteed. He will need to earn a spot.

"That's a good thing for us. It bodes well," Francona said. "If we have to aggravate a guy or two. Good for us. When you go the other way when you don't have enough (talented starting pitchers). That's not a good feeling."

With a good year by the starters and incremental improvement, a successful return and a talented Burns, the Reds' starting rotation has a chance to be special. That would go a long way to helping the team return to the playoffs and go beyond the two games last season against the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round.

Reds Sign Eugenio Suarez Hit Four Home Runs In A Game Last Season

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Dateline: Cincinnati

Cincinnati Reds President Nick Krall announced the signing of two-time National League All-Star INF Eugenio Suárez to a 1-year Major League contract through the 2026 season, with a mutual option for 2027.

Suárez earned his second career All-Star selection after slashing .228/.298/.526 with a career-high-tying 49 homers and career-best 118 RBI across 159 games with the Diamondbacks and Mariners last season. He started with Arizona before being traded to Seattle for 1B Tyler Locklear, RHP Hunter Cranton, and RHP Juan Burgos on July 31.

This past season, Suárez hit four home run game as a member of the Diamondbacks on April 26 vs Atlanta. It is a feat accomplished for just the 17th time in Major League history.  

Since Nick Kurtz, A's, July 25, 2025 (A's 15, Astros 3) and Kyle Schwarber is the last to do it on August 28, 2025 (Phillies 19, Braves 4). Schwarber was a target of the Reds' front office before he resigned with the Phillies.

"You know what you're getting with him," Krall said. "He's a great individual and great clubhouse guy. We weren't sure it was something, we'd be able to do. We kept tabs with his agent but didn't start negotiating until about 10 days ago."

Suarez is a third baseman by trade. The Reds have Ke'Bryan Hayes, a gold glove calibre third baseman and Sal Stewart who had reps at third base. Suarez played 154 games at third base. He was a designated hitter in four games and played at first base in three games but did not make a start at first base. 

According to Krall, Suarez will play some first base and be used a lot as the DH. Stewart will play some third base but also second and first. Spencer Steer will play first, second and left field. The trade of Gavin Lux opens playing time at second and left as well as DH. 

Suarez finished the year ranked among Major League leaders in several offensive categories, including RBI (4th), home runs (5th), extra-base hits (77, 7th), total bases (309, T8th), and OPS (.526, 10th).

Suárez at 35-years old, will take his second stint with the Reds, as he hit 189 home runs with an .811 OPS across 7 seasons with the club from 2015-21. In 2019, he set a new single-season Major League record for homers by both a National League third baseman and Venezuelan-born player with 49, which were also tied for second-most by a Red in a season in franchise history.

"It is perfect," Suarez said. "I'm happy it worked out. I'm very excited to be back home. They (Reds) were always talking to me about coming back. It is easy for me. My daughter was born here. My wife and I made a good decision. And the chance of making the playoffs here are high. I played these guys the last couple years and I know how the lineup was put together and it is very good. The pitching staff is great. I'm not coming here to be a super hero but I can't wait to be a part of that lineup."

"I remember when I was traded (2022) that I told you guys, you never know, you never know where, you're going to end your career."

"Good vibes only" is his favorite slogan.

His 189 career homers with Cincinnati rank 13th in team history and were fourth-most by any National League batter from 2015-21. Suárez, who received the Ernie Lombardi Award as the Reds' Most Valuable Player in both 2018 and '19, is the only primary third baseman in franchise history to produce 3 seasons with at least 30 home runs (2018, '19, '21).

Originally signed by the Tigers as an international free agent on October 9, 2008, Suárez has played in parts of 12 Major League seasons with Detroit (2014), Cincinnati (2015-21), Seattle (2022-23, '25) and Arizona (2024-25). Since the start of the 2019 season, he ranks among all Major League batters in games (990, 4th), home runs (227, 6th), and RBI (622, 9th).

The Reds designated for assignment C Ben Rortvedt, who was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers on November 12, 2025. Cincinnati's 40-player roster is at capacity.

Reds Sign A Right Handed Pitcher

 

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Dateline: Cincinnati

Darren McCaughan was signed by the Reds today. (pronounced mih-CACK-en).

The 29-year old native of Long Beach, California signed a minor league contract and invited to Major League camp in Goodyear, Arizona that begins on February, 9. 

The Seattle Mariners selected McCaughan out of Long Beach State in the 12th round in the 2017 draft. He started one game for the Mariners in 2021 and pitched in relief in another. He totaled nine innings. He pitched in three games to close out games with the team in 2023 after spending 2022 in Tacoma.

The Miami Marlins purchased his contract in February, 2024 and he saved two games in five relief appearances and started five games. The Cleveland Guardians purchased his contract in May of 2024. He pitched two games in relief for Cleveland then returned to the Marlins as a waiver claim in July.

McCaughan signed with Minnesota in December 2024 and pitched in three games for the Twins last season.

The 6'1", 200 lbs, hurler was granted free agency in September of last season before signing with the Reds.

He has pitched in a total of 20 games with nine starts in his four-year big league career. He worked a total of 61 1/3 innings with a 6.02 ERA and two saves. He will be looking for his first Major League win this season and his first Major League loss.

A big part of the Reds' staff last year, Nick Martinez, is still a free agent. 

There is interest in his return by both sides according to Martinez.

Colerain Loses A Family Member

 

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Dateline: Cincinnati

Doug Marcum joins his father as Colerain fans in the sky. 

On January 9, Doug lost a battle with Parkinson's disease and Dementia. 

Doug was a 1971 graduate of Colerain. He was a super athlete who was injured in his last game at Colerain. According to his sister Debbie he decided against a surgery that could have allowed him to play football at one of the seven universities that offered him scholarships.

It was a decision, he regretted.

Doug and Debbie's father Bill died in 2013. He was at EVERY Colerain football game for nearly 50 years. He would sit with Doug, Debbie and his brother, Greg, who also passed away in December. Greg graduated from a school in Indiana where the family lived until they moved back to Colerain in the 70's.

The following is the testimonial that was written when Bill passed away. 

Colerain's Loss Is Heaven's Gain

Debbie Marcum's voice wasn't raspy after Colerain defeated Mason 63-14 on Friday night.

The 1972 member of the Colerain pep group that cheered from the stands 41 years ago usually yells "defense" and "let's go Colerain" on Friday night.  Uncharacteristically, she was quiet.  The seats to her left were unoccupied for one of the few times since, 1968.

Her voice was spared on Friday; her eyes were not.

Debbie's father Bill Marcum wasn't in the seat to her immediate left.  That seat will represent a void not only in "the Cage" at Colerain but in the hearts of many in the Colerain community -including this writer.

Bill Marcum, a constant at Colerain football games, punted after 86 years and joined a team at a higher level.  Marcum ordered the doctors to withhold dialysis.  He knew it was time to let someone else carry the ball.

Marcum was a fighter but more importantly a supporter.  He knew the game as well as anyone around.  His daughter Debbie can explain the reads in Colerain's famous option offense.  She knows the angles used by Colerain's 50-slant defense.  Bill taught her.  But Bill never second- guessed the coach.  He was always, always on the field after the game with a pat on the back of the coach, win or lose.  He never left early in a blowout game, when the weather was bitter cold, rainy or under a heavy snow.

Marcum joined the Navy just prior to graduating from now-defunct Hartwell High.  The 16-year old fought for our country starting in 1944 and returned to get his GED and raise a family.

His eldest son Greg went to high school in Indiana.

His second son Doug inherited his father's competitive spirit and his track speed.  The family moved back to Cincinnati and Doug was a talented wide receiver and defensive back from 1968 to 1970.

Bill watched his son, 6'1" about 175 pounds, hit running backs and receivers on the same field that Debbie stared at blankly at on Friday.

Doug had scholarship offers from his hard-nosed play and his exceptional athleticism, but an knee injury late in his senior year kept him from moving on.

Bill never moved on.  He came to nearly every Colerain game for the next 42 years, often with Debbie, Greg and Doug, who at 60 can still wear his letterman jacket like he did when he was 17.

He watched Kerry Combs, the legendary Colerain coach now on the staff at Ohio State, chase down running backs at Colerain.  He watched current coach Tom Bolden, alias Top Gun, set passing records at Colerain.  Bill saw lean years and was there every game.

When I returned on a regular basis when my nephews played on Colerain's emerging teams of the early '90's, Bill recognized me, one of the less significant players in Colerain's history.

We greeted each other every week during the football season.  He was in Canton for Colerain's state championship win over Canton McKinley in 2004.

Bill never second-guessed the coach after a rare tough loss.  He was still on the field to pat Combs or Bolden on the back.  He was there to shake players' hands after wins and after losses.

Finally, Monday, Bill Marcum had enough.

"So be it," Marcum told his sons and daughter.  "I'm not taking any more dialysis."

Tom Bolden and the Colerain Cardinals have dedicated the rest of the season to Bill Marcum.

I will dedicate my life to being a loyal fan just like him.

Rest well, by friend.

Reds Pick Up Left Handed Pitcher Brock Burke And Trade Gavin Lux To Tampa Bay In Three Team Trade

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Dateline: Cincinnati

Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall today announced  three-way trade, landing LHP Brock Burke from the Angels. The Reds sent Gavin Lux to the Rays, while Tampa Bay sent OF Josh Lowe to Los Angeles in exchange for minor league RHP Chris Clark.

Burke, 29, posted a 7-1 record with a 3.36 ERA (61.2ip, 24r/23er) across a career-high 69 appearances in 2025. His 69 outings were the second-most by an Angels left-hander in a season in team history, while his 7 wins ranked second among all Major League left-handed relievers in 2025.

The Rays chose Burke in the third round of the 2014 draft. Burke has pitched in five Major League seasons with the Rangers (2019, '22-24) and Angels (2024-25). He was a member of Texas' 2023 World Series championship team, pitching in two postseason games as the Rangers secured their first World Series title in franchise history.

Burke was named the Rangers' Rookie of the Year by the local chapter of the BBWAA in 2022 after leading all Major League relievers in innings pitched (82.1) and posting the lowest ERA (1.97) by a rookie reliever in Rangers history. He also finished that year ranked among American League relief pitchers in strikeouts (90, 2nd) and wins (7, T3rd).

Lux, 28, batted .269 in a career-high 140 games with the Reds in 2025. He also set career bests with 120 hits, 28 doubles, 53 RBI, 56 walks, a .350 on-base percentage, and 176 times on base. He was originally acquired by Cincinnati from the Dodgers in exchange for minor leaguer Mike Sirota and the Reds' Competitive Balance Round A (37th overall) selection in the 2025 first-year player draft on January 6, 2025.