The Cincinnati Reds made official on Saturday what we’d anticipated regarding their roster, officially informing non-roster invitee Nathaniel Lowe that he would make the Opening Day roster. Cincinnati also opted to include Sam Moll, who is out of options, while using the existing minor league options on spring standouts JJ Bleday, Rece Hinds, and Zach Maxwell to stash that trio in AAA for additional depth.
On Sunday, they’ll play one final time at their home in Goodyear, Arizona before heading to
Milwaukee for a pair of exhibition games against the Brewers. Then, on Thursday, the real work begins with Opening Day at home against Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox.
Lowe will get a start at 1B batting cleanup on Sunday vs. the Cleveland Guardians in the Cactus League finale as the Reds roll out a strong, albeit far from peak lineup. Nick Lodolo will toe the rubber for the start.
This game will be watchable via Reds.TV, Guardians.TV, and therefore MLB.tv for subscribers of the lot, so you can use your own eyes to see whether the 14-14 Reds can finish the 2026 Cactus League slate with a winning record, or not.
Here’s the travel roster for the day courtesy of Redleg Nation’s Doug Gray.
It’s officially Opening Week, which isn’t technically a ‘thing,’ but you certainly know of what I speak. Welcome back, baseball!
