Reds spring opener lineup reveal comes with an unexpected surprise

The Cincinnati Reds will take the field for the first time this spring for their Cactus League opener against longtime in-state rival, the Cleveland Guardians. Terry Francona is entering his second season at the helm, and the Reds manager is ready to show the rest of Major League Baseball that his team is ready for the spotlight in 2026.

Francona's lineup for the spring opener features an interesting (and somewhat unexpected) twist. Though most Reds fans probably assumed rookie infielder Sal Stewart would be at first base for Cincinnati's first game of the spring, he'll actually be playing second on Saturday afternoon. The Reds' skipper had hinted at this move earlier this spring, but most fans didn't expected to see it manifest this quickly.

Obvoiusly this doesn't mean that Matt McLain is being replaced by Stewart, but it certainly gives fans a peek behind the curtain. McLain was dreadful last season, and would seem that Francona and the Reds coaches are putting together a much more profitable backup plan in the event that he's unable to return to the player he was during his rookie season in 2023.

Sal Stewart is at second base for the Reds spring opener vs. Guardians

As for the rest of the Reds lineup, Tyler Stephenson will be behind the plate, Eugenio Suárez will man third base, and Will Benson will be out in left field. Stewart will bat clean up and is followed by Noelvi Marte, Nathaniel Lowe, and Dane Myers. Non-roster invitee Michael Toglia will operate as the Reds's DH and Edwin Arroyo starts in place of Elly De La Cruz at shortstop.

Francona will send last year's rookie sensation Chase Burns to the mound for Game 1 of Cactus League play. The fireballer made his big-league debut last season and appeared in 13 games, including eight starts. Burns racked up 67 strikeouts over 43 innings of work and is in a battle with Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson, and Julian Aguiar for the final spot in the Reds rotation.

Williamson will be an observer for the spring opener, but both Lowder and Aguiar are expected to get some work in after Burns exits. Hagen Danner, Darren McCaughan, and Anthony Misisewicz are also scheduled to take the mound against the Guardians on Saturday afternoon in Goodyear.

Guardians left-hander Logan Allen will get the ball for Cleveland. Last season he went 8-11 with a 4.25 ERA over 156 innings while posting a 1.389 WHIP. Reds fans can tune in to Reds.TV at 3:05 p.m. ET or listen to Saturday’s opener on 1360 WSAI-AM.