Reds reveal Opening Day roster and surprising name claims final spot

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2024 Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster has been revealed. Most of the names are ones that fans will recognize, though there are couple of new faces. Injuries have been the story of late, and that certainly impacted some roster decisions ahead of Thursday's clash with the Washington Nationals.

The Reds entered spring training with a lot of optimism, and though injuries to players like TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, and Brandon Williamson have struck at an inopportune time, the addition of key veterans this offseason should help the Reds stay afloat in the NL Central.

First pitch at Great American Ball Park will take place tomorrow afternoon with former New York Yankees starter Frankie Montas taking the hill for the Reds. Montas signed a one-year, $16 million contract with the Reds this past winter and is looking to reassert himself as one of the top starters in the game.

Reds reveal Opening Day roster and Bubba Thompson claims final spot

As for the remainder of the Reds starting rotation, Hunter Greene will get the ball for the second game of the 2024 campaign. Greene is entering his third season in the bigs and is ready to establish himself as one of the best young pitchers in baseball. The trio of Nick Martinez, Andrew Abbott, and Graham Ashcraft will fill out the rest of the rotation.

As for the position players, the infield will consist of Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Elly De La Cruz, and newcomers Jeimer Candelario and Santiago Espinal. Candelario was added shortly after the MLB Winter Meetings concluded, while Espinal was a late-spring addition who's capable of playing both second base and shortstop.

Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile will be hanging the signs behind the dish this season, and the outfield will be comprised of Will Benson, Spencer Steer, Stuart Fairchild, Nick Martini, and Bubba Thompson. After being DFA'd earlier this offseason, Thompson bounced around to few different clubs before returning to the Reds roster. Thompson will be filling in for the injured Friedl until the centerfielder returns from a wrist injury.

As for the bullpen, Cincinnati will employ the arms of Tejay Antone, Alexis Diaz, Lucas Sims, Fernando Cruz, Brent Suter, Emilio Pagán, Buck Farmer, and Justin Wilson. Sam Moll, Ian Gibaut, and and Alex Young will all start the season on the 15-day IL.

Nick Lodolo should be returning to the active roster sometime in April, but the left-hander is still behind schedule and will receive a couple rehab starts in Triple-A before making it back to The Show. Noelvi Marte will also not be part of the Reds Opening Day roster after receiving an 80-game suspension for using PEDs.

Get ready, Reds Country! Cincinnati begins their quest to return to the top of the NL Central with a three-game series against the Nats beginning on Thursday at 4:10 p.m ET.

More Reds News from Blog Red Machine