Reds spotlight Chase Burns but rivals get equal audition in Cactus League opener

Chase Burns will get the ball for the Cincinnati Reds' Cactus League opener against the Cleveland Guardians, but he won't be the only starter who toes the rubber on Saturday afternoon in Goodyear, Arizona. Burns is in heated competition for the final spot in the Reds rotation, and at least two of his top competitors will follow behind him.

Though Burns will draw the start and is likely to pitch two innings versus the Guardians, Rhett Lowder and Julian Aguiar are expected to log some innings as well. According to Pat Brennan of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Hagen Danner, Darren McCaughan, and Anthony Misisewicz are also scheduled to pitch.

Chase Burns will start the Reds Cactus League opener, but Rhett Lowder and Julian Aguiar will pitch too

Most observers seem to think that Burns has the inside track for the fifth and final spot in the Reds rotation. He's the only one among the four who actually pitched in the majors last season. Lowder battled two different injuries in 2025, while Aguiar and left-hander Brandon Williamson were both recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Nevertheless, Burns won't just be handed the job. The fireballer dealt with injuries of his own last season, and was held out for about a month while nursing a right flexor strain. Upon his return to the active roster in September, the Reds moved Burns into the bullpen in order to manage his innings restriction — something that will be worth keeping an eye on in 2026 as well.

Upon his arrival in Goodyear last spring, Lowder reported forearm discomfort and was held out of Cactus League games and left off the Reds Opening Day roster. He began a rehab assignment in early-May, but suffered a oblique injury after just four starts, and landed on the 60-day IL in June. Lowder was able to log a couple of innings at Triple-A near the end of the season and saw some time on the mound during the Arizona Fall League to close out the year.

Aguiar made his Major League debut in 2024, but an elbow injury sidelined him after just seven starts. After undergoing surgery to repair his UCL, the right-hander spent all last season on the 60-day IL. Both Aguiar and Williamson are being given adequate time to recover this spring, and while both are in the mix for the final rotation spot, the decision will likely come down to one of Burns or Lowder.