The Cincinnati Reds Are Being Slept On Heading Into the 2026 Season | MLB News, Rumors, Predictions

The Cincinnati Reds Are Being Slept On Heading Into the 2026 Season | MLB News, Rumors, Predictions

Craig Sandlin sits down with Aram Leighton of Just Baseball to dive into the World Baseball Classic, why he’s bullish on the Reds this season, the upcoming Spring Breakout game, and much more.

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The latest news surrounding the Cincinnati Reds as they head toward Opening Day in 2026 is centered on pitching decisions, injury concerns, and final roster battles—and it’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing camps in baseball.

First and foremost, the biggest headline is the Reds’ decision to go with a six-man starting rotation to begin the season. Manager Terry Francona confirmed that the team plans to carry six starters instead of the traditional five, a move designed to protect young arms and manage workloads early in the year.

The group is expected to include Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, along with younger pitchers Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Brandon Williamson.
This approach gives Cincinnati flexibility, especially with several pitchers coming off limited innings in 2025. It also allows them to ease top prospects like Burns and Lowder into full MLB roles without overextending them early.

However, this strategy is also being driven by a major concern: Hunter Greene’s health. The Reds’ ace is currently dealing with elbow issues and is expected to miss time to start the season, leaving a significant hole at the top of the rotation.
Greene has been one of the most electric arms in baseball when healthy, so his absence is a major storyline that could define the Reds’ early-season performance.

On the bullpen side, injuries are also creating opportunities. Left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson, who was signed in the offseason to strengthen the bullpen, is expected to begin the year on the injured list with an oblique strain.
That opens the door for several pitchers competing for the final bullpen spots, including names like Sam Moll, Kyle Nicolas, Zach Maxwell, Luis Mey, and Connor Phillips. The Reds’ bullpen picture remains fluid, and these final decisions will likely come down to the last days of camp.

In terms of roster cuts, the Reds continue to trim down as Opening Day approaches. Veteran pitcher Tejay Antone was reassigned to minor league camp as he continues working his way back from multiple injuries.
While he won’t make the Opening Day roster, the organization still views him as a potential contributor later in the season.

Offensively, one of the more notable developments is that Will Benson has played his way onto the roster, solidifying one of the final bench/outfield spots.
That likely leaves only one remaining position battle among players like JJ Bleday and others fighting for bench roles.

The Reds lineup overall remains one of the more exciting young groups in the National League. Players like Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte are expected to lead the offense, while the return of Eugenio Suárez adds much-needed power and veteran presence in the middle of the order.

One area to watch is Andrew Abbott, who is still in the mix for a prominent role in the rotation despite a rough spring. He has shown strong strikeout ability but has struggled with consistency, giving up runs and home runs in Cactus League play.
How he performs down the stretch of spring training could influence not only the rotation order but potentially Opening Day starter discussions.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Reds are coming off a playoff appearance in 2025 and are trying to take the next step in a competitive NL Central. The division appears wide open again, with projections suggesting multiple teams—including Cincinnati—have a realistic shot at contention.