Reds Finalize Roster Four Games Until Opening Day

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

It isn't always the case but all the players know where they are going to be next Wednesday. The can send their cars to the right city and secure living space at least to start the 2026 season.

History tells us that some players, who were disappointed today, will be playing in Cincinnati before the playoffs role around. So will have larger roles than they are thinking right now.

"We talked to every body," Terry Francona said.

"We talked to (Sam) Moll. He's on," Francona said.

Moll was up and down last season after an injury riddled spring in 2025. He pitched in Cincinnati last season and has used up his options. Moll had to make the team or be put on waivers. Pierce Johnson, Tony Santillan and Brock Burke all are out of options. Those four will be in the Reds bullpen. Burke and Moll are the left handers in the bullpen. Caleb Ferguson is also left handed and will likely be the 26th man on the roster once his strained oblique clears up. He has been moving his arm, simulating throwing without using his oblique. Ferguson will get another MRI on Wednesday in Cincinnati.

"The last four outings, Moll's stuff has really ticked up," Francona said. "The change up has been really good. With Ferguson down, it gives us that second lefty. It just seemed to make sense to me." 

The Starting rotation is set with Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, and two out of Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson, who had the best spring among them all.

One of the later three will be counted as a bullpen arm at least to start the season with Hunter Greene, who will likely go on the 60-day injured list at the start of the season. That will clear a 40-man roster spot for one player.

Emilio Pagan, Connor Phillips and Graham Ashcraft will join Johnson, Santillan, Burke and Ferguson.

"We talked to (Zach) Maxwell," Francona said. "We told him he would start in Triple A. We told him to knock the door down. He's one to bash that sucker down. As he works ahead (in the count), he's got the chance to abuse some hitters. When he doesn't he has a chance to do what we just saw." Back-to-back doubles in the game against the Cubs on Friday night. 

"We talked to (Rece) Hinds and told him he would start in Triple A. We talked to (JJ) Bleday and told him he would start in Triple A. We told Lowe, he made the club," Francona said.

Lowe is out of options and signed as a minor league player with an invitation to the Major League spring training camp. He will need to be placed on the 40-man roster.

"It wasn't just that Lowe didn't have any options. It was the role. It is a bench role," Francona said. "We really want Bleday and Hinds to play and we told them that."

The Reds feel that is would be a disservice to Bleday and Hinds to sit on the Major League bench and only get to play sporadically.

"They both swung the bat really well.

Bleday played in 15 games, getting 44 plate appearances with a .317 batting average, .364 on-base-percentage, three doubles and four home runs for a .683 slugging percentage and 1.047 OPS.

Hinds played in 21 games with 43 plate appearances with a .410 batting average, .465 on-base-percentage and a .949 slugging percentage with four doubles, a triple and five home runs. His OPS was 1.414.

Lowe played first base while the other two are outfielders. He hit .270 in 15 games with 42 plate appearances, a .357 OBP, and a .622 slugging percentage and .970 OPS with four doubles and three home runs. Lowe has the experience to better handle, not playing every day.

"We talked to Lowe about the role. We told Hinds that he couldn't have done more. I was very careful how I worded it with him," Francona said. "You did enough to make the team. The role is a bench spot and we want you to play."

The outfield will be Dane Myers, TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, and Will Benson. Lowe will mostly be a left handed bat off the bench. Spencer Steer is listed as an infielder but will also play outfield quite a bit during the season as well as first base and second base.

"I think we're deeper than we were last year. I know it's disappointing for players to hear they're going to Triple A," Francona said. "It is a good feeling when you can send a guy to Triple A, who I think could help us. We have Mey, Maxwell and (Yunior) Marte, there's some good arms. Bleday and Hinds had great springs and we told them that. The big hope it the disappointment doesn't get in the way. I don't think it will but that's what we talk to them about."

The catchers are Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino. The six infielders are: Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suarez.

"We're not trying to turn Steer into a utility player. We consider him an every day player," Francona said.