The Reds will open the season with six starters on the big league roster, manager Terry Francona announced (via Mark Sheldon of MLB.com). With Hunter Greene out until the middle of the season, Cincinnati had three key rotation: The opening day starter Andrew Abbottthe leftist Nick Lodolo and veteran right-hander Brady Singer. On the left Brandon Williamson and rights Chase Burns again Rhett Lowder and all protected program areas. The Reds will not use a straight six-man rotation but will use the Burns/Lowder/Williamson trio in a manner to be determined.
FOX 19’s Charlie Goldsmith writes that the Reds drafted the setup as a “shortened” six-man rotation. Abbott, Lodolo and Singer will start the first three games. A decision has yet to be made as to which of Burns, Lowder and Williamson will start the fourth and fifth games for the Reds. Any that are not given a start will be available in long relief or tandem/piggyback fashion for the other two. Abbott will return for Cincinnati’s sixth game of the season.
“You’ll see (Williamson) come in behind Burns, or maybe start the game and have Lowder do it (out of the bullpen),” said Francona (via Goldsmith). “I don’t think we feel the need to say it ahead of time in terms of strategy. That’s where we sit. You’ll see (Williamson) pitch one of these two days (Game 4 or 5 of the season).”
Williamson, who turns 28 next month, entered camp as a long shot to make the club. He’s pitched just 30 2/3 innings over the last two seasons combined – none in 2025. He missed last season recovering from Tommy John surgery late in the 2024 campaign.
A former second-round pick by the Mariners, Williamson came to the Reds in 2022 Eugenio Suarez/Jesse Winker trade. He has pitched 131 1/3 major league innings with a 4.39 ERA thus far but has been a well-regarded prospect with a solid major league track record. Now healthy, Williamson opened his eyes in camp. He pitched 11 innings and held opponents to just two runs on just six hits and two walks with 13 strikeouts (1.64 ERA, 31 K%, 4.8 BB%). He has a career 92.8 mph on his four-seamer but has been sitting at 94.1 mph this spring (obviously not working as deep in games as he would in the regular season).
Burns and Lower – especially the former – seemed like the strongest bet. Burns, No. 2 overall pick in 2024, starting last summer less than a year after being selected from Wake Forest. The 6’3″ flamethrower destroyed minor league opposition, posting a 1.77 ERA, a 36.8% strikeout rate and a 5.4% walk rate in his first 13 pro starts before being called up to the big leagues. Burns’ 4.57 ERA in 43 1/3 MLB frames last year, but most of the damage has come early. Burns gave up seven runs in one-three innings against Boston in his second career start. He returned with a 3.32 ERA, a 37.3% strikeout rate and an 8.9% walk rate over his last 38 major league innings.
Lowder was the No. 7 overall pick just a year before Burns. Like Burns, he is a Wake Forest product who made his MLB debut just one year after being drafted, in 2024. Lowder turned in a powerhouse 1.17 ERA in his first six MLB starts but did so with a low 17.2% strikeout rate and a high 10.9% walk rate. His minor league career was good, though.
Both Burns and Lowder had good springs overall, though the Reds recently demoted Burns after reporting some movement issues to the club. Both promising young people’s rights are considered long-term pieces of change. It’s unclear how this six-person setup will be resolved long-term. Francona told Goldsmith that the temporary setup would not last until the end of April. All three of Burns, Lowder and Williamson have multiple minor league options remaining.
Francona also confirmed that drug Connor Phillips and foreign player Is Benson make a list. Both have a minor league option remaining that, at least for now, will not be exercised. The 24-year-old Phillips had a rough spring, allowing seven runs in seven innings with an 18.8% walk rate, but posted a 2.88 ERA while striking out nearly one-third of his opponents in 25 big league innings last year.
Benson hit the bullpen this spring, with four homers and two doubles and as many walks as strikeouts (seven and one) in 40 plate appearances. The 27-year-old is hitting .250/.400/.656 in 13 games. There is no clear formula for normal playing time TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, JJ Bleday again Dane Myers also on the roster, but he’ll match up as a starter at times against right-handed pitching and left-handed bats off the bench.
