The Reds assigned Young to minor-league camp Sunday.
Young signed a minor-league contract with the Reds in January after being non-tendered by the Mets in late November. He gave up six runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five across three innings in spring training, and the 31-year-old southpaw will look to regain his form in the minors, likely with Triple-A Gwinnett.
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Reds' Carson Spiers: Behind Abbott
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Spiers appears to be behind Andrew Abbott for the Reds' fifth starter's job, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Abbott started the spring a little bit behind because of a left shoulder issue, and he still hasn't pitched in a big league spring training game. But Abbott has pitched two innings in a minor league game and will benefit from the Reds not immediately needing a fifth starter to begin the season.
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Reds' Andrew Abbott: Favorite to win fifth starter's job?
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Abbott appears to be the favorite to win the Reds' fifth starter job, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Abbott is the favorite to win the job despite not yet pitching in a major league spring training game this season, in part because the Reds don't need a fifth starter right away and because he has an incumbency advantage. That said, his edge is pretty precarious. "If there's a hiccup -- even not just him but weather-wise -- it could derail that first day," manager Terry Francona said.
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Reds' Alexis Diaz: Ugly outing Saturday
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Diaz allowed five runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one over a third of an inning in Saturday's Cactus League game against Kansas City.
Diaz, who was delayed getting into Cactus League games after dealing with a hamstring issue early in camp, struggled during his third spring appearance. "It's his third outing. Certainly, we've got to lock it in here. We've got about another week," Reds manager Terry Francona said about Cincinnati's closer to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. At some point during the outing, Francona and a team trainer visited the mound because the right-hander's thumb was bleeding. Diaz remained in the game and walked the next batter before being removed. Francona said the cut on his thumb, which was exacerbated by the pitcher's thumbnail, had nothing to do with Diaz's troubles.
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Reds' Hunter Greene: Racks up six Ks in Sunday's start
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Greene allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six over four innings in Saturday's spring start against the Royals.
Greene made his fifth Cactus League start and appears to be dialing it in ahead of his Opening Day assignment. After a couple of shaky outings to open the spring, Greene has allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks over 12 innings in his last three appearances. He worked his pitch count up to 74 (49 strikes) on Saturday and will make one more spring start before taking the ball for the regular-season opener March 27 against the Giants.
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Reds' Bryan Shaw: Sent to minor-league
Rotowire
The Reds reassigned Shaw to minor-league camp on Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Shaw signed an NRI deal with the Reds in December after appearing in five games for the White Sox during the 2024 regular season, during which he allowed four earned runs across four frames. He logged a 4.05 ERA in spring training, but he allowed eight walks while striking out seven and will begin the 2025 campaign in Triple-A, though he could return to the majors if the Reds need to bolster their bullpen.
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Reds' Jose Trevino: Avoids fracture
Rotowire
Imaging on Trevino's right hand came back negative Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
After taking a foul tip off his right hand during Friday's contest, Trevino will avoid the injured list, as a CT scan revealed no fracture. The 32-year-old backstop will be thrust into a significant role for the first few weeks of the regular season while Tyler Stephenson works his way back from an oblique strain.
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Reds' Jose Trevino: Undergoing CT scan
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Trevino will receive a CT scan on his right hand Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Trevino was hit on the hand near the base of his thumb by a foul tip during Friday's game, forcing him to leave the contest early. His scan will help determine the severity of his injury, though manager Terry Francona said the backstop felt like he could have played in Saturday's exhibition game. Fellow catcher Tyler Stephenson (oblique) is also dealing with an injury and will miss the start of the season, so Austin Wynns could be in line for playing time if Trevino's scans reveal severe damage.
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Reds' Will Benson: Relegated to Louisville
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The Reds optioned Benson to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.
Benson had a pretty underwhelming season with the Reds in 2024, slashing .187/.274/.376 with 14 homers, 43 RBI and 16 stolen bases over 128 games. He managed to bounce back during Cactus League play, posting an .853 OPS over 30 plate appearances, though 10 of those plate appearances ended in strikeouts. He'll head to Triple-A for now, though Benson could return to Cincinnati if he gets hot or outfield depth becomes an issue.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Struggles Friday
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Ashcraft allowed three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the White Sox.
Ashcraft allowed four of the first five batters to reach base before being pulled -- he re-entered in the second inning -- and it was a grind in his fifth Cactus League start. With news that Andrew Abbott had an encouraging controlled start in a minor-league game earlier this week, Ashcraft's bid to win a spot in the rotation may have taken a hit. If Abbott can't get ready for the start of the regular season, Ashcraft could take a turn or two in April.
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Reds' Austin Wynns: Roster chance improves
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Wynns' chances of making the roster improved this week after injuries to Tyler Stephenson (oblique) and Jose Trevino (hand), Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
In the span of three days, Wynns went from the outside looking in to appearing to have a spot on the Opening Day roster. Trevino's injury is less severe than Stephenson, who is facing a multiple-week absence, so Wynns may be the primary backup. The Reds could also scan the market for veteran catchers.
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Reds' Jose Trevino: Exits with apparent injury
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Trevino was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against Arizona with an apparent hand injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Trevino suffered the injury in the fifth inning when a foul tip off the bat of Corbin Carroll struck him in the hand. The severity of the backstop's injury remains unclear, though the Reds can ill afford to be without Trevino with Tyler Stephenson (oblique) slated to begin the regular season on the injured list.
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Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Headed to IL with oblique strain
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Stephenson will open the season on the 10-day injured list after being diagnosed with a low-grade oblique strain, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Stephenson underwent tests for what had been described as a back injury, but an MRI revealed a strain to his oblique. That the strain is considered minor gives Stephenson a chance to keep his IL stint brief, but oblique issues can linger. With Stephenson out, Jose Trevino will open the season as the Reds' top catcher. Cincinnati has just two catchers on its 40-man roster, which leaves non-roster invitee Austin Wynns as a good bet to be the No. 2 backstop when camp breaks.
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Reds' Jeimer Candelario: May platoon at third base
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Cincinnati manager Terry Francona suggested Thursday that Candelario and Gavin Lux could be part of a platoon at third base, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Francona wants to get as many competent bats into the lineup as possible, but that's shaping up to be a tricky task. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (three HRs, 1.000 OPS) has hit well this spring and looks like the best option for first base, which removes a potential path to playing time for Candelario. He could slot in at designated hitter if Spencer Steer (shoulder) is not ready for the start of the regular season. Lux can also handle second base or left field, which would allow both he and Candelario to be in the lineup against righties.
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Reds' Gavin Lux: Manager hints at platoon
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Reds manager Terry Francona said Thursday that Lux and Jeimer Candelario could be part of a platoon at third base during the regular season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I think Lux and Candelario, you'll see [Santiago] Espinal there sometimes. It depends on who is pitching," the manager said.
While Lux has seen action at several positions this spring, he's made the majority of his 2025 Cactus League starts at third base. Francona likes the idea of getting a platoon edge without weakening the team's defense at the hot corner. Lux also has experience at second base and in left field. The job share may not be an issue early in the regular season, as Spencer Steer (shoulder) could land on the injured list and push Candelario to first base or DH, but eventually Francona will need to find at-bats for all three on a semi-regular basis.
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Reds' Nick Lodolo: Works four scoreless
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Lodolo allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six over four scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Athletics.
Lodolo was at his best in his third Cactus League start. He was aided by a runner getting thrown out at the plate in the fourth inning, but other than that, the left-hander cruised through 66 pitches (41 strikes). He then got in additional work in the bullpen. Reds manager Terry Francona was particularly pleased with Lodolo's curveball, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Lodolo has a 3.12 ERA with nine strikeouts over 8.2 Cactus League innings.
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Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Undergoing MRI on back
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Stephenson will undergo an MRI on his injured back Thursday, Pat Brennan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Stephenson had to be scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League lineup against the Rangers. Reds manager Terry Francona downplayed the injury at the time, but it seems Stephenson hasn't bounced back as quickly as hoped, necessitating the MRI. Francona said the team should have an update on Stephenson's condition later Thursday or Friday.
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Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Scratched Wednesday
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Stephenson was scratched from Wednesday's lineup because of lower-to-mid back pain, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson was scheduled to be the designated hitter and was replaced by Blake Dunn. Cincinnati manager Terry Francona downplayed the injury, indicating Stephenson will be fine and that there was no need to push him.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Still throwing off flat ground
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Lowder (elbow) has been throwing off flat ground the last few weeks since being cleared by the medical staff, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Lowder said he's progressing through the throwing program and believes he'll be on the "mound here shortly," although there's been no schedule established. The recently turned 23-year-old right-hander had been a candidate for the rotation, but it now appears likely he'll begin the season on the injured list before eventually heading to Triple-A Louisville. Lowder was impressive in a brief stint in the majors at the end of the 2024 regular season, posting a 1.17 ERA over six starts (30.2 innings).
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Reds' Spencer Steer: Takes swings in cage
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Steer (shoulder) took swings in a batting cage Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
This was the first time Steer had a bat in his hand since getting a cortisone shot in his right shoulder March 1. He took flips in the cage before heading to the weight room. The next step is to see how the 27-year-old infielder/outfielder responds to the activity. Steer believes he can still get ready for the regular season, but in the words of manager Terry Francona, "we want his shoulder to tell us that - not Opening Day."
