Reds News: Chris Sabo honored, Nick Martinez skipped, Stuart Fairchild's WBC decision

For over 100 years, the Cincinnati Reds have had the privilege of starting the Major League Baseball season in their home ballpark. As such, Opening Day has essentially become a holiday in the city of Cincinnati. The game itself is always a sellout, and there's plenty of pageantry attached to the day as a whole.

One of the most celebrated events of the Reds Opening Day festivities is the Findlay Market Parade. The event begins at noon ET and the procession is led down the streets of Cincinnati with floats, marching bands, and a few special surprises.

Reds News: Chris Sabo honored as Findlay Market Parade Grand Marshall

There's always speculation surrounding who will be the Grand Marshall for the Findlay Market Parade, and this year, it'll be Reds Hall of Famer Chris Sabo. The Rec Specs-wearing third baseman had somewhat of a cult following during his Reds tenure and was a key member of the 1990 wire-to-wire World Series championship team.

Sabo will lead the 1.4 mile parade route down Race Street to the Taft Theater, as always. The three-time All-Star and former NL Rookie of the Year will have some company, as Michael Waltrip will be the Honorary Grand Marshall for the event. Waltrip's presence is designed to draw attention to the MLB Speedway Classic featuring the Reds versus the Atlanta Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway in August.

Reds News: Nick Martinez will not start Saturday's Cactus League game

The Reds were supposed to play a game on Friday, but Cincinnati's Cactus League affair with the San Francisco Giants was rained out. Nick Martinez was the Reds' scheduled starter for Friday, but rather than push him back a day and pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, the right-hander threw a bullpen session to stay on track.

The Reds will remain on schedule and send Nick Lodolo to the hill on Saturday versus the D-backs. Both Martinez and Lodolo will be part of the Reds starting rotation once the regular season begins. Reds manager Terry Francona tabbed Martinez and Lodolo to join Brady Singer and Opening Day starter Hunter Greene as four of the five pitchers who'll open the season in the rotation.

Reds News: Stuart Fairchild weighing WBC options

An interesting report emerged from Focus Taiwan stating that Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild may participate in the World Baseball Classic next year as a member of Team Taiwan. Fairchld's mother is from Taiwan, and former second-round pick sounded upbeat about the opportunity to honor his heritage in the 2026 WBC.

Another major league outfielder who share Fairchild's roots is Arizona Diamondbacks' star Corbin Carroll. Fairchild and Carroll, both of whom were playing for the D-backs at the time, passed on the opportunity to participate in the WBC two years ago.

However, it sounds as if Fairchild is excited for the opportunity to represent Taiwan next spring in the WBC, and it'll be interesting to see if he can convince Carroll (whose mother was born in Taiwan) to join him.

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