Reds dealt potential Opening Day setback after starter's early exit

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona may need to retract his most recent statement regarding the team's plans to implement a six-man rotation at the beginning of the 2026 season. Why? Because his most reliable starting pitcher left his latest Cactus League game sooner than expected.

Reds starter Brady Singer was lifted after just 3⅔ innings of work on Wednesday due to a blister on his right index finger. According to reports, Singer cited the excessive heat as the reason for the blister, and left the game early as a precaution.

The last thing the Reds need is another starter to go down with an injury. Cincinnati will already be without their star pitcher Hunter Greene (elbow) until July, but losing their workhorse could cripple the team's plans to compete in 2026. For what it's worth, Singer didn't seem too bothered by the issue.

"I felt good with where I was and kind of knew the situation, and obviously, didn’t want to make it worse," Singer said. "I’ll be fine. It’s almost gone anyway. I’ll take care of it and get ready for the next one.”

The Reds cannot afford to lose another starter before Opening Day

The Reds plans, at least for the moment, are to enter the 2026 season with six starting pitchers on the Opening Day roster. Though Francona won't refer to it as a six-man rotation, Singer, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson will all begin the season on the active roster.

Abbott was given the Opening Day nod and will be followed by Lodolo. If healthy, Singer is expected to pitch in his first regular season game during the series finale against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, March 29.

After that, one of Burns, Lowder, or Williamson will open the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, March 30. Whoever does not start Game 1 or 2 of that series will come on in relief of a starter. It may sound somewhat confusing, but in essence, one of Burns, Lowder, or Williamson will come on in relief of the other sometime during the Reds' series against the Pirates.

If Singer is slated to miss any time, however, those plans could change rapidly. Presumably, if Singer begins the 2026 season on the injured list, Cincinnati would roll out a traditional five-man rotation with Abbott, Lodolo, Burns, Lowder, and Williamson.

The Reds' rotation depth was something to behold at the outset of spring training. But the loss of Greene (and potential Singer) reveals just how quickly things can change. What's that old adage? You can never have enough starting pitching. Even for this year's Reds team — that goes seven or eight deep — that axiom rings true.