Franconas on Lodolo: “TITO He had the blister. They popped it over in the training room and drained some of it. We’ll take the next couple of days. Because of his history, we’re gonna have to see. There’s obviously some apprehension, so we’ll see”

Not the earliest "season is over" declaration I've experienced, but the first this year. I'm sure there will be about another 70 or so times the Cockroach Reds (a name they gave themselves last year) will be proonounced dead.

Tis indeed announced as a blister on Lodolo's left index finger.

Reds' Nick Lodolo left Sunday's final Cactus League game just two batters into the game. Lodolo has a history of blisters and the intense heat in Arizona this week may not help. Brady Singer also left a start early this past week with a blister, but was taken out early in an abundance of caution

So, Dane Myers, Nate Lowe and Sam Moll took the final roster spots. Francona said he wanted Hinds, Bleday to play everyday. Lowe’s role is a bench role

From Reds: The Reds have reassigned to minor league camp non-roster invitee C Will Banfield; reassigned to minor league camp and optioned to AAA-Louisville OF JJ Bleday, OF Rece Hinds, and RHP Zach Maxwell.

Reds' Brady Singer said the blister that caused his early exit on Wednesday is pretty much gone, doesn't expect it to change anything. He's still schedule to pitch Monday.

The Reds Venezuelan coaches celebrated last night’s WBC title

GENO!

We just chatted with Hunter Greene. He said when he visited Dr. ElAttrache after the season, it was ElAttrache's recommendation to treat his bone spurs with a PRP injection and rest, not surgery.

Terry Francona said the Reds will start the season with 6 starters — all three of Lowder, Burns, Williamson will break camp with the team

i love a great bat toss, so i don’t fault buddy for doing it. also, stone lawless is a great wrasslin ass name gotdamn

Terry Francona said today that Matt McLain is his No. 2 hitter

Reds’ ace Hunter Greene out until July | Riverfront Territory youtu.be/_NmkZjNL3qw?... via @YouTube

Reds announce 10 games on over-the-air TV this year, Opening Day at 9 Monday games, all on Fox 19 - 3/26 vs. Red Sox - 4/20 – at Rays - 5/4 – at Cubs - 5/18 – at Phillies - 6/1 – vs. Royals - 6/8 – at Padres - 6/15 – vs Mets - 7/20 – at Mariners - 8/31 – vs. Padres - 9/14 – vs. Dodgers

From Reds; The Reds reassigned to minor league camp and optioned to AAA-Louisville INF Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and RHP Chase Petty;  reassigned to minor league camp non-roster invitee C Michael Trautwein.

From Reds: Hyperextended left knee for Blake Dunn.

From Reds: The Reds have reassigned to minor league camp and optioned to AAA RHP Julian Aguiar, INF Edwin Arroyo, RHP Jose Franco, OF Héctor Rodríguez; reassigned to minor league camp and optioned to AA INF Leo Balcazar; reassigned to minor league camp non-roster invitee RHP Darren McCaughan.

Well, that was a bomb

From Reds: The Reds reassigned to minor league camp non-roster invitees C Connor Burns, INF Michael Chavis, INF Cam Collier, RHP Carson Spiers,INF Michael Toglia, and LHP Joel Valdez. Reds camp roster is at 51.

Elly De La Cruz hit what looked like a popup off the bat -- then it just kept going back and back and back... it was just to the left of the batter's eye, bounced on the concrete concourse and bounced out of the park. And Geno goes back-to-back with Elly

Terry Francona said this was as nervous as he's been in a spring training game. Not because of anything on the field, but that he was looking at the scoreboard where they'd show the Arizona-Houston basketball score. Arizona wrapped up the W right after the Reds' game was done, so he was good

Sal Stewart had the Reds' first challenge of spring -- and won. Ball was just outside for ball four

RIP Bill Mazeroski, 89, Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame second baseman and defensive wizard who hit one of the most famous home runs in baseball history to win the 1960 World Series. SABR bio: sabr.org/bioproj/pers...

Wouldn't your life be better with a hamburger desk lamp? (1984 McDonald's catalog)

Reds lineup for today's Cactus League opener: Stephenson C Suárez 3B Benson LF Stewart 2B Marte RF Lowe 1B Myers CF Toglia DH Arroyo SS Burns RHP Also scheduled to pitch: Lowder, Aguiar, Danner, McCaughan, Misiewicz

We back up

Anthony Santander, who signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract a year ago with the Blue Jays, is undergoing left labral surgery and will be sidelined 5-6 months, Blue Jays manager John Schneider announces.

Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft won his arbitration case against the Reds. He'll make $1.75 million. The Reds offered $1.25 million.

Damn Good Dawg.

From Reds: C Ben Rortvedt was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers. Not a surprise. A guy like that is going to be in demand

Over at @theathletic.com, @keithlaw.bsky.social has his Top 20 Reds prospects. A great read as always. One thing I love about Keith is that he has his own opinions and sees things his own way. It adds to the conversation. There are some interesting names here www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Eugenio Suárez said he wasn't going to take 7 from Spencer Steer, that it's Steer's number. He's going to be No. 28

Also, asked Emilio Pagán about pitching in the World Baseball Classic. A member of Puerto Rico's team in 2017 and 2023, Pagán said he is not participating this year

Reds make the Pierce Johnson signing official, one year deal with a mutual option for 2027. RHP Yosver Zulueta has been designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster

When the Phillies want a star player in a competitive market, they typically wield years as their separator. It’s one reason why rival clubs are beginning to see them as Bo Bichette’s most serious suitor. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Wanted to see if people would be more upset by my ballot or my lunch www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

From Reds: RHP Lyon Richardson cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA-Louisville. RHP Keegan Thompson was claimed by the Rockies.

Bleday signing official. 1-year deal. RHP Keegan Thompson DFA’d. 40-man roster is at 40

Can confirm Robert Murray’s report that the Reds have added CD JJ Bleday. I like it. Probably not a true CF, but he can play there. Of course depends on the money.

I can’t recommend this Joey Votto video from @theathletic.com enough. Proud to be the tiniest part of it www.nytimes.com/athletic/vid...

The Reds met with Kyle Schwarber and his wife on the Monday before Thanksgiving, Nick Krall said. Schwarber was met by Bob Castellini, Terry Francona and hitting coach Chris Valaika, along with several front-office members

Just missed once again.

Good stuff from Francona I’ll post later. Basically said he took responsibility for not keeping Elly fresher. Be said the Reds, like 29 other teams, would love Schwarber but didn’t elaborate leaving that to Schwarber. Freddie Benavides spent time with Sal Stewart last week

Apologies for the video orientation, but… Reds manager Terry Francona finished his media session and saw his former coach and current Royals manager Matt Quatraro doing his availability

Congratulations to Louisville Bats manager Pat Kelly for winning the Mike Coolbaugh Award for " an individual who has shown outstanding baseball work ethic, knowledge of the game and skill in mentoring young players on the field." Nobody deserves it more than PK!

I did the 7th edition of my quiz for The Hold Steady yesterday in Brooklyn. As usual it was the most fun and congrats to @ctrent.bsky.social for getting the answer to the hardest question ever

Big Reds news from the Zoom call, Noelvi Marte has changed his number to 4 and Luis Mey is now No. 47

Reds brining back closer Emilio Pagán closer in 2-year, $20 mil deal www.nytimes.com/athletic/683... Veteran reliever Emilio Pagán returns to Reds on two-year, $20M deal: Source

Reds add OF Héctor Rodríguez, IF Edwin Arroyo and IF Leo Balcazar to 40-man. DFA RHP Carson Spiers