Reds tab Hunter Greene for spring opener, but trivialized starter also gets the nod

The Cincinnati Reds are in a unique position this weekend. The Reds are set to begin Cactus League play on Saturday, but the team will play two games at the same time. Approximately half of the Cincinnati roster will play a split-squad game against the Cleveland Guardians in Goodyear while the other half take their talents on the road to play the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix.

Split squad games during spring training are nothing new. Teams will take a number of players from the 40-man roster, along with a handful of prospects from minor-league camp, and play two two different teams in one day. First pitch for the Reds 'home' Cactus League opener against the Guardians is slated to begin at 3:05 p.m. ET, while Cincy's 'road' opener against the Brew Crew begins at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Hunter Greene will start Reds spring training opener vs. Guardians

New Reds manager Terry Francona has tabbed Hunter Greene to be Cincinnati's starter for the team's Cactus League opener against the Guardians. This is unsurprising, and a good indication that Greene will be the Reds Opening Day starter next month when the San Francisco Giants come to Great American Ball Park. Greene had a breakout season in 2024 and is the unquestioned ace of the Reds' pitching staff.

Even though it's just a spring training game, Francona will surely have some mixed emotions going up against his former team. The Reds' skipper managed the Guardians for 11 seasons and led Cleveland to the World Series in 2016.

Graham Ashcraft will start Reds split-squad game vs. Brewers

Some Reds fans may be a bit surprised to see Graham Ashcraft starting Cincinnati's split-squad game this Saturday against the Brewers. After the Reds traded for Brady Singer and retained Nick Martinez this offseason, the rumblings all winter presumed that Ashcraft would move into the bullpen.

But for now, Ashcraft is competing for a spot in the Reds starting rotation. The right-hander was hobbled by injuries in 2024 and only started 15 games. After flashing his potential to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter during his rookie season in 2022, Ashcraft has struggled to a 12-14 record the past two seasons with an uninspiring 4.92 ERA.

Ashcraft's biggest struggles have come when facing opposing batters a third time through the order. This has led to speculation that Ashcraft would be better suited as a reliever. However, Ashcraft has met this challenge head on and has added a curveball to his repertoire this spring.

Francona has yet to announce who will take the ball for Cincinnat's spring game on Sunday against the Giants. The Reds then play another Cactus League game on Monday versus the Los Angeles Dodgers before receiving an off-day on Tuesday.

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