Cincinnati Reds News

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Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Eugenio Suarez Slowly Ramping Up From Oblique Injury

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez's oblique injury is around 50% better, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. He took 50 swings on Thursday and will now cool it down for the next few days. Goldsmith mentions that Suarez's injury is one that you have to be patient with. The veteran right-handed slugger is dealing with a left-oblique strain and isn't exactly close to returning to the major-league roster after being placed on the 10-day injured list. The 34-year-old Venezuelan infielder is still 89% rostered in Yahoo leagues, though, for his power stroke in a hitter-friendly home ballpark in Cincy. The two-time All-Star tied a career high with 49 home runs while driving in a career-high 118 runs in 159 games last year with the Reds and Seattle Mariners. Before his oblique injury this year, Suarez was hitting .231 (21-for-91) with three homers, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored in 25 games. Suarez won't boost your batting average, but the 13-year veteran is still capable of being a power- and run-producing asset in mixed fantasy leagues when he's healthy and playing every day. Left-handed-hitting first baseman Nathaniel Lowe should continue to benefit from regular playing time in Cincy between first and designated hitter with Suarez on the shelf.

22 hours ago

Rhett Lowder • SP • Reds

Rhett Lowder Not Dealing With Structural Damage in his Shoulder

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder (shoulder) avoided any structural damage in his right shoulder after being pulled from his start early on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. He received an injection in his AC joint, though, and the Reds will monitor him before deciding if he needs to go on the 15-day injured list. The odds are that Lowder will go on the IL, with manager Terry Francona saying that the team wants to err on the side of caution. It will all depend on how the former first-rounder feels in a couple of days following his injection, and there's a chance he'll throw a bullpen session on Sunday. Fantasy managers should know by Sunday whether Lowder will have to miss a few turns in the starting rotation. The 24-year-old Wake Forest product missed all of 2025 due to various injuries and has a 5.40 ERA (3.82 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and 18 walks in 38 1/3 innings across his first eight starts with the Reds in 2026 in his first full season in the majors. Lowder is only rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues right now.

23 hours ago

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo Officially Activated, Making Season Debut on Friday

The Cincinnati Reds officially announced on Friday that they reinstated left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Jose Franco to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Lodolo will make his season debut at home on Friday against the visiting Houston Astros at Great American Ballpark. While the 28-year-old southpaw makes for more of a risky fantasy option on Friday in his season debut, the former first-rounder out of TCU should be rostered in most leagues for his high-strikeout upside. Injuries, most recently blister issues on his left index finger, have kept Lodolo from reaching his true potential. In 76 big -league outings (75 starts) since making his MLB debut with the Reds in 2022, Lodolo has a 24-22 record, 4.06 ERA (4.04 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, 26.2% strikeout rate, and a 6.7% walk rate over 409 2/3 innings pitched. He's currently rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues.

23 hours ago

Tony Santillan • RP • Reds

Tony Santillan the New Closer to Roster in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati Reds reliever Tony Santillan appears to be getting the bulk of the save situations, making him an intriguing closer option in fantasy baseball. The Reds continue to use Santillan in leverage scenarios, and while it has backfired with a blown save and a loss in his last two games, he still appears to be the frontrunner for the role. The Reds used Graham Ashcraft in a save situation on Wednesday, but he blew it, too. Outside of a minor rough patch, Santillan has been effective, posting a 2.87 ERA with 9.19 K/9. He does need to work on limiting walks (5.17 BB/9) and loud contact (1.72 HR/9 and 35.9% GB%). With Emilio Pagan out until late June, it seems like the Reds will just roll with Santillan as their de facto closer. He has jumped to #32 among relievers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.

Yesterday

Rhett Lowder • SP • Reds

Rhett Lowder Leaves Early on Thursday With Shoulder Discomfort

The Cincinnati Reds announced that right-hander Rhett Lowder (shoulder) left his start early on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning with right-shoulder discomfort, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Manager Terry Francona and a trainer came to check on Lowder after he issued back-to-back walks to start the inning. Before departing, Lowder allowed three earned runs on just one hit (a solo homer to Michael Conforto) while walking four and striking out only one in three innings of work at Wrigley Field. It's unclear how serious the 24-year-old's shoulder injury is as of right now, but we wouldn't be surprised if it eventually sends him to the 15-day injured list, given his injury history. The hard-throwing Wake Forest product has had a tough go of it early in 2026, as he entered his start on Thursday with a 5.09 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 26:14 K:BB in 35 1/3 innings over seven starts. Forearm and oblique injuries sidelined Lowder for the entire 2025 campaign. He's currently rostered in just 17% of Yahoo leagues. UPDATE: Lowder will undergo an MRI exam on Friday.

Yesterday

Graham Ashcraft • RP • Reds

Graham Ashcraft Allows Two Runs, Blows Save Opportunity on Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft couldn't close out the Cubs on Wednesday night, picking up his second blown save of the season. After the Reds rallied to take the lead in the top of the ninth, Ashcraft came in to secure the win, but he gave up a single to Carson Kelly and a game-tying home run to Pete Crow-Armstrong. He was able to finish the inning but was charged with two runs on two hits, causing his ERA to rise to 1.93 on the season. In his 17 previous appearances, Ashcraft had allowed two earned runs across 17 2/3 innings with 19 strikeouts. With Emilio Pagan (hamstring) on the injured list, Ashcraft and Tony Santillan will likely share closer duties. However, Santillan blew the save on Tuesday and Ashcraft on Wednesday, leaving the job still wide open while Pagan is out for an extended period of time.

2 days ago

Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain, Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks

Cincinnati Reds right-handed closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) said he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on Tuesday night, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Doctors told Pagan that it will be four to eight weeks before he can return to the mound for the Reds, but it's a best-case scenario after the level of pain that he experienced on Tuesday night when he was carted off the field against the Chicago Cubs. "Leaving the field yesterday, I thought my season was done," Pagan said. The Reds placed Pagan on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. The 34-year-old veteran reliever will be dropped in a lot of fantasy leagues after this news. It's not like he was pitching well before his hamstring issues, sporting a 6.43 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, six saves, 11 strikeouts, and six walks in 14 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Going forward, right-hander Tony Santillan is the name to know for a waiver-wire pickup for save opportunities, although righty Graham Ashcraft could also see some save chances with Pagan sidelined.

2 days ago

Tony Santillan • RP • Reds

Is Tony Santillan the Favorite to Take Over the Closer Job in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tony Santillan has seen his fantasy value spike following the injury to Emilio Pagan. During Tuesday's loss to the Cubs, Pagan exited the contest on a cart due to a hamstring injury. The right-hander is expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list, which will open up ninth-inning duties for Santillan. While Santillan may face some competition from fellow setup man Graham Ashcraft, the 29-year-old appears to be the slight favorite to earn the short-term save opportunities. This season, Santillan has tallied one save while posting a 2.87 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Pitching primarily in the eighth innings of games, Santillan has logged eight holds while striking out 16 batters over 15 2/3 innings. While he has struggled recently, allowing five earned runs over his last five innings, his track record of seeing eighth-inning opponents should make him the slight favorite for the ninth-inning role. He is worth adding in all 12-team leagues while Pagan is on the shelf.

2 days ago

Graham Ashcraft • RP • Reds

Graham Ashcraft Worth Stashing In Reds Bullpen After Major Injury?

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft may be a worthy stash after go-to closer Emilio Pagan suffered a hamstring injury during Wednesday's game. Late-inning opportunities should increase across the Reds bullpen, and the elite 1.02 ERA of Ashcraft poises him to be the next man up in leverage situations. After making a major jump across 62 games last year with an ERA under 4.00, Ashcraft appears to have taken a step forward as he continues to dominate late in games. He already has one save in two opportunities this season. This usage suggests the Reds may turn to him frequently while their primary closer remains sidelined.

3 days ago

Tony Santillan • RP • Reds

Tony Santillan Poised to Slide Into Closer Role for Reds?

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tony Santillan is emerging as a key ninth-inning arm, recording three save opportunities over his last seven games. He has struggled with consistency at times in this role, but his 2.87 ERA and 1.28 WHIP make him a strong candidate to close games given Emilio Pagan's recent injury. On Tuesday evening, Pagan was carted off the field with a hamstring injury and is slated to be placed on the 15-day injured list. Santillan is in his sixth season with the Reds and is coming off the best year of his career in 2025, posting 33 holds, seven saves, and a 2.44 ERA. He has clearly earned the trust of the coaching staff as his usage continues to increase. If his stuff plays in the ninth inning, the closer role could soon belong to him, making him a solid target in all 12-team leagues.

3 days ago

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo Shouldn't Face Restrictions in Season Debut on Friday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger), who has been on the 15-day injured list since a blister on his left index finger ended his final spring training outing on March 22, will make his 2026 season debut on Friday against the Houston Astros. Lodolo threw 45 of his 79 pitches for strikes at Triple-A Louisville in his final minor-league rehab start and mixed in roughly 16 or 17 sliders, the pitch that causes the friction on the pad of his index finger. He expects to throw more when facing big-league hitters for the first time this year on Friday, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "I'm not going to be up here with a limit," said Lodolo. Getting the left-hander from TCU back in the rotation is big for the Reds, who are missing both Hunter Greene (elbow) and Brandon Williamson (shoulder). Lodolo went 9-8 with a 3.33 ERA in 29 games in 2025 and set career-highs in starts (28), innings (156 2/3), and strikeouts (156). Injuries have limited him, but Lodolo deserves to be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues for his strikeout upside. He's currently rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues.

4 days ago

Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Eugenio Suarez Does Some Baseball Activities on Monday

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that third baseman Eugenio Suarez (oblique) was scheduled to take grounders on the field on Monday and flips in the cage, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Suarez will get an MRI exam in Cincinnati coming up. If the Reds like what they see from Suarez's MRI later this week, the 34-year-old veteran could be cleared to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. He's currently on the 10-day injured list with a left-oblique strain, and the Reds are bringing the right-handed slugger along slowly. The Venezuelan third baseman has had at least 30 home runs and 101 RBI in each of his last two seasons, and he tied his career-high with 49 long balls in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners in 159 total games. Suarez swings and misses plenty, though, so he will not help your batting average. In 25 games in his return to Cincy this year, Suarez has hit .231 (21-for-91) with three home runs, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored. Barring a setback, Suarez should return to the Reds by mid-May.

4 days ago

Chase Petty • SP • Reds

Reds Set to Promote No. 7-Ranked Prospect Chase Petty to Start on Monday

The Cincinnati Reds expect to promote No. 7-ranked prospect Chase Petty to start on Monday evening against the Chicago Cubs. Petty is slated to replace Brandon Williamson in the starting rotation, who was recently shifted to the injured list. Petty made his MLB debut during the 2025 campaign but logged only six innings in his brief time in the big leagues. In this stint, the former 26th overall selection allowed a high 13 earned runs (14 total runs) while striking out seven hitters. However, this season, Petty has spent his entire campaign at Triple-A, Louisville, and has posted a 4.38 ERA with a modest 1.34 WHIP. He has tallied an impressive 29 punchouts but allowed 11 free passes. Given his minimal success in the majors last summer, managers should only look to stream Petty in deep 14-team leagues facing a tough Cubs lineup.

5 days ago

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo Expected to Make Season Debut on Friday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Friday at home at Great American Ballpark against the Houston Astros, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. The 28-year-old southpaw convinced the Reds that he is ready to rejoin the big-league starting rotation after he gave up two earned runs while walking two and striking out six in 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday in his third minor-league rehab start. Lodolo has been on the IL since Opening Day due to a recurring blister issue on his left index finger, but he looks to have put it behind him. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of TCU looked great in his three rehab starts, allowing just two earned runs while walking two and fanning 17 in 12 innings of work with Louisville, Single-A Dayton, and High-A Dayton. For his high-strikeout upside, Lodolo deserves to be rostered everywhere. He will be a more dicey fantasy play in his season debut on Friday against Houston, but he should be rostered in most fantasy leagues with his return on the horizon. Lodolo is rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues.

6 days ago

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo on Track to Make One Last Rehab Start

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (finger) has had his rehab assignment moved from Single-A Dayton to Triple-A Louisville. He is set to make one more rehab start on Saturday, with the intention of it being his final outing before making his 2026 season debut for the Reds. After missing time due to a recurring blister, the team determined that his slider grip was causing the issue on his finger. Now that his grip has been adjusted, he feels confident about his return. He last pitched on Sunday, striking out seven batters in just under six innings of work. Barring any unforeseen setbacks in this outing, he should be ready to rejoin the Reds shortly afterward.

7 days ago

Chase Burns • SP • Reds

Chase Burns on a Roll of Late With 17 Strikeouts in Last Two Starts

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Chase Burns is starting to break out in 2026 after flashing signs in 2025. So far this season, Burns is (3-1) with a 2.65 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched. His fastball velocity remains elite (98.1 mph average), and his control remains in check (8.8 percent walk rate), while he continues to miss bats and rack up the strikeouts (28.5 percent). Burns is primarily a two-pitch pitcher, throwing his four-seamer 56 percent of the time and slider 37 percent of the time, but both pitches are excellent and top-tier (.230 batting average on the four-seamer and .140 batting average on the slider). Most encouragingly, Burns has shown a lot of consistency through his six starts, having gone five innings in every outing, while allowing two earned runs or less in all but one start on April 10, where he allowed five earned runs to the Angels and was his only loss of the season. Up Next for Burns is an excellent matchup on Sunday, May 3, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he should be fired up confidently in your lineups.

May 1

Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan Struggles in Non-Save Situation, Allows Two Runs

Cincinnati Reds right-handed closer Emilio Pagan had a rough day at the office in a non-save situation in Thursday's 6-4 win over the visiting Colorado Rockies at Great American Ballpark. Pagan was summoned in the top of the ninth inning with a four-run lead, and he proceeded to allow two earned runs on three hits without a walk or a strikeout in one inning of work. The 34-year-old veteran does have six saves already on the season, but it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for him, and he blew his second save of 2026 on April 19 against the Minnesota Twins. Pagan now sits with a 5.40 ERA on the season, which isn't exactly pretty for the team's primary closer. He had a career-high 32 saves in his second year in Cincy in 2025, but Pagan only has one other 20-save campaign in his nine MLB seasons, and his fly-ball tendencies aren't exactly the greatest fit at his home ballpark. If Pagan's struggles continue, Tony Santillan would probably be the next man up for saves in Cincy.

Apr 30

Sal Stewart • 1B • Reds

Sal Stewart Making a Start at Third Base Versus Rockies

Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart is making a start at third base and will bat cleanup for the Reds in Thursday's series finale against the visiting Colorado Rockies and right-hander Michael Lorenzen, according to MLB.com. Ke'Bryan Hayes is getting the day off, and Nathaniel Lowe will make the start across the diamond at first base for Cincy. This will be Stewart's first start at the hot corner in 2026, although he started four games at third last year and played the position plenty in the minors. If Stewart sees enough playing time at third to gain eligibility at the position in fantasy, it would only add to his rising profile in his first full season in the majors. The 22-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 has been one of the most productive hitters in baseball through the first month, hitting .288 (32-for-111) with nine home runs, 29 RBI, 19 runs scored, and even seven stolen bases in 30 games played. He leads baseball with his 29 RBI and .442 rOBA. Stewart quickly became a popular waiver-wire pickup in April, and he's now rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues.

Apr 30

Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Eugenio Suarez Still Dealing with Tender Oblique

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suarez (oblique) is still dealing with a tender oblique, per Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Goldsmith reports that the team is hoping Suarez "progresses to the point where he can get scanned on (the team's) upcoming road trip and then really ramp up baseball activities." Suarez's oblique strain was characterized as low-grade when he was placed on the injured list retroactive to April 23, but it appears as though the veteran slugger will require more than the minimum 10 days on the IL. Suarez was off to a slow start to 2026 before getting injured, hitting .231/.300/.363 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored across 100 plate appearances. With Suarez on the shelf, Reds first baseman Nathaniel Lowe has stepped in as the team's primary designated hitter.

Apr 29

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Three Weeks Away From Throwing Bullpens

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) is throwing from 110 feet and is roughly three weeks away from throwing bullpen sessions, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. Greene is currently on the 60-day injured list after having surgery in mid-March to remove bone chips from his right elbow, and he's expected to miss at least the first half of the 2026 season. It's a big blow for the Reds and for fantasy managers, but the 26-year-old hard-throwing righty deserves to be stashed in most fantasy leagues for his potential to be a game-changer down the stretch. Greene was a first-time All-Star in 2024, when he went 9-5 with a 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 169:57 K:BB in 150 1/3 innings over a career-high 26 starts. He made a career-low 19 starts in 2025 due to injuries, but he was strong again with a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 132:26 K:BB in 107 2/3 innings pitched when he was healthy. Despite likely missing the entire first half this year, Greene is currently rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues.

Apr 29

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