Reds rookie-filled starting rotation appears to be taking shape

Tyler Mahle will go to the hill in Monday's exhibition matchup with the Chicago Cubs, and will be the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day starter on April 7th in Atlanta. But the rest of the rotation behind Mahle has yet to take shape.

It seems like a safe bet to assume that Vladimir Gutierrez will be among the group of five as well. But judging by the look of things, the remaining three spots could be filled out by rookie pitchers Nick Lodolo, Reiver Sanmartin, and Hunter Greene.

Looks like the Reds rotation will include 3 rookies.

After Tyler Mahle on Monday, Reiver Sanmartin will start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday afternoon with Nick Lodolo scheduled to follow his fellow southpaw out of the bullpen. Wednesday will see Vladimir Gutierrez toe the rubber versus the Oakland A's.

On Thursday, Hunter Greene will make his second start of the spring against the Chicago White Sox. Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels will see the recently demoted Riley O'Brien go to the hill. Mahle will draw Saturday's start versus the San Diego Padres as the primer for his Opening Start against the Atlanta Braves before Lodolo gets the ball on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

While Bell hasn't formally announced the Reds starting rotation, it would appear to be Mahle, followed by Lodolo, Gutierrez, and Greene. With Cincinnati off on Monday, April 11, the Reds could roll out Mahle and Lodolo in the first two home games of the season against the Cleveland Guardians.

Gutierrez, Greene, and Sanmartin could then start three of four games at Chavez Ravine against the Los Angeles Dodgers with Mahle taking the ball on Sunday. Perhaps by then, Luis Castillo will rejoin the rotation.

All bets are off once Castillo and Mike Minor return from the Injured List. Will Lodolo remain in the rotation? Will Sanmartin move to the bullpen? It'll certainly be an intriguing story to follow throughout the season, but for now, it appears we will see three rookies in the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation.