REDS SPRING TRAINING PREVIEW SPONSORED BY TRIHEALTH
CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The Cincinnati Reds have opened spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, with pitchers and catchers reporting and position players expected to arrive by Saturday.
The Reds spent the offseason addressing key areas, adding a middle-of-the-order power bat, outfield depth and bullpen reinforcements.
Eugenio Suárez returns to Cincinnati after hitting 49 home runs last season. He is expected to serve as the designated hitter and provide protection in the lineup for Elly De La Cruz.
Closer Emilio Pagán re-signed with the club. The Reds also added veteran right-hander Pierce Johnson and left-handers Caleb Ferguson and Brock Burke to strengthen the bullpen.
Outfielders JJ Bleday and Dane Myers were added to compete with Will Benson for outfield and bench roles. Myers, a right-handed hitter, could platoon in center field with TJ Friedl.
Returning position players include catchers Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino; infielders Matt McLain, De La Cruz, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Sal Stewart; and outfielders Friedl, Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer and Benson.
The projected starting rotation includes Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and Brady Singer. Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder are expected to compete for the final rotation spot.
In the bullpen, Pagán, Johnson, Ferguson and Burke join Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Connor Phillips and Zach Maxwell as leading candidates.
The Reds parted ways with several players during the offseason, including Austin Hays, Miguel Andújar, Brent Suter, Scott Barlow, Nick Martinez, Zack Littell, Santiago Espinal and Gavin Lux.
Cincinnati’s first spring training game is scheduled against the Cleveland Guardians on Feb. 21. The Reds open the regular season March 26 against the Boston Red Sox.