The biggest news out of reporting day for the Cincinnati Reds on Monday in Goodyear, Ariz., was that there was no news. No injuries, no no-shows, no drama.
Physicals took place Tuesday, and the first official workout is Wednesday. Position players report Saturday before the team’s first full workout Monday. There are, though, more than six weeks between the first workout and Opening Day, and things can always change — and with a fully healthy roster, things are unlikely to change for the better. This early in spring training, it’s all positive, and at least the team isn’t starting from behind.
With a fully healthy Reds roster, we’re taking our second look at just how Cincinnati could look heading into the 2026 season, and with Eugenio Suárez aboard, it looks much better in Version 2.0 than in 1.0.
In Suárez, the Reds have a true middle-of-the-order bat, even if he doesn’t repeat his 49-homer performance of 2025. With Suárez in the fold, the lineup looks better — and deeper — than it did at any point perhaps since Suárez last played for the Reds in 2021.
Catchers (2): Tyler Stephenson, Jose Trevino
Also in the organization: Will Banfield, Michael Trautwein
The Reds have to be happy with their catching tandem, with Tyler Stephenson’s continued improvement defensively and Jose Trevino’s second season with the team.
Trevino was one of the team’s most consistent hitters early last season when Stephenson started the season on the injured list. Both players had stints as the starter because of injuries, and though Stephenson will get more playing time than Trevino, Trevino will get more than many backup catchers.
Stephenson is a free agent after the season, and Trevino signed an extension before last season even started. Alfredo Duno, arguably the team’s top prospect, is a catcher, but he hasn’t played above Class A and is likely to start the season at High-A Dayton. Looking for Duno at the big-league level before 2028 seems a little ambitious, but he’s yet to find a hurdle he can’t seem to clear.
Will Banfield and Michael Trautwein will return to Triple-A Louisville to work with an experienced staff.
Infield (5): Sal Stewart, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Eugenio Suárez
Also in the organization: Edwin Arroyo, Tyler Callihan, Michael Chavis, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Garrett Hampson
Players in italics are on the 40-man roster
Not putting Spencer Steer in this group is semantics because he’ll likely get plenty of playing time in the dirt, where he could serve as the main backup at first, second and third. It’s strange not to put a Gold Glove finalist at first base among the infielders, but his versatility will allow rookie Sal Stewart to get more at-bats. Suárez can also serve as a backup at third and is expected to work some at first but should spend most of his time as a designated hitter.
Stewart played just 17 innings at first base in the minors but logged his most big-league time at the position. A full spring training concentrating on his new position should help. Matt McLain can serve as the backup shortstop on days when Elly De La Cruz is given a day off, with Steer moving to second base. Stewart has also played second and third.
If De La Cruz misses any time, Edwin Arroyo would be available.
Outfielders (6): Will Benson, JJ Bleday, TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer, Dane Myers
Also in the organization: Blake Dunn, Rece Hinds, Héctor Rodríguez, Michael Toglia
Again, semantics with Steer, so you could actually call it five infielders and five outfielders, with Dane Myers serving as a defensive specialist. Still, it’ll be interesting to see whether the team decides to go with the left-handed-hitting Will Benson and JJ Bleday. With a dearth of left-handed hitters in the everyday lineup, manager Terry Francona will want to have some lefties he can bring in off the bench.
Although TJ Friedl is expected to get most of the starts in center, Noelvi Marte will work there some in spring. Marte had never played a game in the outfield as a pro until July, and though he had some growing pains, there’s also going to be a bobblehead of his season-saving home run robbery against the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.
Héctor Rodríguez is in big-league camp for the second year in a row, but this time he has a real shot of making an impression, and now, on the 40-man roster, he is in line for his big-league debut this year. He could be the left-handed outfield bat the team is looking for.
Though Rece Hinds and Blake Dunn struggled in their time in the big leagues last year, both finished strong in Triple A. Switch hitter Michael Toglia is a non-roster invitee, but the left-handed thrower can play first and the corner outfield spots and two years ago hit 25 home runs for the Colorado Rockies.
Starters (5): Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder
Also in the organization: Julian Aguiar, Chase Burns, Jose Franco, Chase Petty, Brandon Williamson
The first four spots in the rotation seem to be solid, and the team has multiple choices for the fifth spot. That competition will be interesting as camp goes along, but the Reds have six starters after the top four on the 40-man roster, and all have options.
The fifth spot could realistically go to Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns or Brandon Williamson. Lowder has the most impressive resume at the big-league level so far. If all things are equal, Burns might benefit more from some more time at Triple A than Lowder.
Burns finished 2025 in the bullpen, but that was more about maximizing his innings at the end of a long year. A return to the bullpen at the end of the season seems much more likely than at the beginning. The team’s added veteran relievers also give it flexibility not to have to put Burns there and instead play for the long game in developing a pitcher who could turn into an ace.
Relievers (8): Emilio Pagán (closer), Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Brock Burke (L), Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson (L), Connor Phillips, Zach Maxwell
Also in the organization: Tejay Antone, Hagen Danner, Yunior Marte, Luis Mey, Anthony Misiewicz, Sam Moll, Lyon Richardson, Josh Staumont
Emilio Pagán re-signed after finishing second in the National League in saves with 31 in 2026. Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft, two of the team’s late-inning options last year, are also returning.
Brent Suter was the lone lefty in the bullpen for much of 2025, so the team added lefties Brock Burke in a trade and Caleb Ferguson as a free agent. The Reds also added veteran Pierce Johnson.
The veterans leave the Reds with just two spots at the bottom of the bullpen, with Connor Philips and Zach Maxwell coming off the best 2025 performances in the big leagues among the candidates. Luis Mey and lefty Sam Moll are in the picture as well. Unlike Phillips, Maxwell and Mey, Moll is out of options.