This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon¡¯s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- In one week, the Reds will break camp and head back to Cincinnati for a few days before they open the season against the Giants on March 27. Whether or not they set their roster for the regular season before leaving Arizona remains a mystery.
This much is definitely known -- only a precious few spots remain open for competition.
¡°We¡¯re getting there. We¡¯ve just got to see what we¡¯re going to do," manager Terry Francona said on Saturday.
After Saturday's camp cuts, the total number of healthy players remaining is 33. That means seven more players must go to get to the required 26-man roster.
Here is a look at what's left to sort out.
Position players
There appear to be 15 healthy position players left for 13 spots.
Outfielder Will Benson, who was with the club for all of 2024, was among the Saturday cuts. TJ Friedl, Austin Hays and Jake Fraley are three outfield locks. Assuming five outfielders will be carried, the final two spots are up for grabs among Stuart Fairchild, Jacob Hurtubise and Blake Dunn. Fairchild is out of options and seems like a good bet to make the team.
In the infield, the question is whether Spencer Steer (right shoulder) can be deemed ready in time. Right now, it seems unlikely seeing as he hasn't played in a game since Feb. 27 and he only resumed swinging this week following a March 1 cortisone injection.
Francona has maintained that Steer won't be rushed just to make an artificial deadline of Opening Day, because the club doesn't want him nagged by the injury for a second season.
If Steer isn't ready, the Reds could keep both Hurtubise and Dunn on the roster or they could consider going outside the organization to add an extra infielder.
Rotation
Hunter Greene, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer and Nick Lodolo are a lock. Despite not having pitched in a Cactus League game yet, Andrew Abbott seems to have the edge for the fifth spot. Abbott came in on a slower progression because of the left shoulder strain that plagued him last season, but -- if everything goes according to plan -- he appears to be in.
"If there's a hiccup -- even not just him but weather-wise -- it could derail that first day," Francona said.
Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers are the other options. Ashcraft has a 6.75 ERA in five starts this spring because he's had two rough outings -- including vs. the White Sox on Friday, when he gave up three earned runs and four walks in 2 2/3 innings and 63 pitches. Spiers, who last worked four innings in a Minor League game on Wednesday, has been solid throughout and has a 3.60 ERA in two Cactus League outings.
Bullpen
The first seven spots are set with four right-handers -- closer Alexis D¨ªaz, Emilio Pag¨¢n, Tony Santillan and Scott Barlow -- and three left-handers: Brent Suter, Taylor Rogers and Sam Moll.
Remaining in the mix for the final spot are righties Ian Gibaut and Lyon Richardson -- and the two starters in Spiers and Ashcraft. It's unlikely the club would carry a fourth lefty in non-roster invite Joe La Sorsa, but he's had an excellent camp and could claim a spot if one of the other left-handers somehow isn't ready for the season. Moll in particular has struggled during camp, but he doesn't appear to be injured.
X-factor
As mentioned earlier, the final spots could be thrown into upheaval if the Reds make any late acquisitions before Opening Day. It's certainly happened before. Second baseman Scooter Gennett and pitcher Alfredo Simon were past waiver claims at or near the end of camp. Last year, with three days left in camp, utility infielder Santiago Espinal was acquired in a trade from the Blue Jays.
President of baseball operations Nick Krall and general manager Brad Meador always keep an eye out just in case for roster additions. However, Francona isn't seeking reinforcements.
¡°I¡¯ve never even asked those guys that," Francona said. "I spend all my energy on whoever is in our room. The one thing you¡¯ll never hear is, ¡®We need this, we need that.¡¯ Because I think that¡¯s sending a direct message to the guys in there that we¡¯re not good enough. I¡¯ll never do that.¡±