After taking two games from the San Francisco Giants on Friday night in split squad action the Cincinnati Reds are back to the field this afternoon. They will host the Texas Rangers in Goodyear, Arizona today. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05pm ET.
Rangers (12-8) and Reds (11-9) Lineups
Rangers | Reds | |||
| 1 | Joc Pederson | DH | TJ Friedl | DH |
| 2 | Alejandro Osuna | LF | Will Benson | CF |
| 3 | Jake Burger | 1B | Jose Trevino | C |
| 4 | Mark Canha | RF | Nathaniel Lowe | 1B |
| 5 | Tyler Wade | SS | JJ Bleday | RF |
| 6 | Michael Helman | CF | Rece Hinds | LF |
| 7 | Cameron Cauley | 2B | P.J. Higgins | 3B |
| 8 | Jonah Bride | 3B | Michael Chavis | 2B |
| 9 | Jose Herrera | C | Leo Balcazar | SS |
| 10 | Austin Gomber | LHP | Rhett Lowder | RHP |
Reserve players on today’s Reds roster
* denotes that they are expected to pitch today
Where to watch/listen/follow the game
First pitch is set for 4:05pm ET. This is a radio broadcast only day. If you want to follow along on the radio this game will be carried on 700 WLW in the greater Cincinnati area. If you want to follow along with gameday, here is your link for that.
News and Notes
Lyon Richardson sent to the minor leagues
For the second day in a row the Reds announced one roster cut of a reliever prior to the start of the game. Yesterday it was Yunior Marte and today it’s Lyon Richardson.
Out of Options
The following players have no options remaining: Brock Burke, Pierce Johnson, Sam Moll, and Tony Santillan.
The Reds are exposing their lefty hitters to a LH starter today. Great idea for ST.
As ST continues the battle for the last roster spots intensifies. The two catchers, 5 of 6 IF and 4 or 5 OF are set, leaving the last two spots for Steer, Lowe, Marte and Hinds. Lowe and Hinds are both having an excellent ST.
GRLF, are you really implying that Steer and Marte are hoping to get the last two spots?
Yeah, let’s get real here. The opening day lineup will include both Steer and Marte. Steer will start 140+ games either in LF, 1B, 3B or DH.
Let’s pump the brakes on Hinds. Last year in the big leagues, he struck out 48% of the time. Forty-eight percent strikeout rate! He needs to show he can cut that to 25% for an extended time in the minors.
Let’s also pump the brakes on JJ Bleday, IMO. I think he’ll make the team, but look at this:
JJ Bleday Spring Training career:
.291 / .376 / .502
JJ Bleday MLB career:
.215 / .307 / .394
Bleday had one good season, in 2024, with a .761 OPS. If he can replicate that, he can be a good 4th OF for us. If he plays more to his career average, he’ll struggle to stick.
Lowder has been his own worst enemy today! 3 WALKS plus an error! Not the best way to impress your manager for a possible SP spot!
It’s spring training. Cowboy (Jeff Brantley) said he pitched well. He has lots of MLB pitching experience so I’ll go with his assessment.
Dennis is fast becoming another who can see a cloud in any silver lining. You’re hardly the first to remind him that it is ST.
Nice inning by Moll; 2Ks and overcame a fielding error with an efficient inning.
Italy beat Puerto Rico in WBC. Arroyo should be back soon. I’ve watched many of the games and I don’t think he played much if any.
Also have to wonder if Nicholis is injured. He has not pitched since their exhibition game before pool play and they have used a lot of pitchers in each game none of whom are him. You would think a Big League pitcher would get some pitches on a team without much big league pitching.
Wry good point MK. I w been looking for g
Their names in the box scores and yet to see them. I really hope they aren’t injured.