As the Cincinnati Reds gear up for their Cactus League opener against the Cleveland Guardians, all eyes will be on Chase Burns, who’s set to take the mound first in Goodyear, Arizona. Burns, in a fierce battle for the Reds' final rotation spot, will be sharing the spotlight with some serious competition. Rhett Lowder and Julian Aguiar are also slated to pitch, making this an intriguing showcase for Reds fans.
Burns is expected to pitch a couple of innings, setting the stage for Lowder and Aguiar to follow. The Reds are also planning to give Hagen Danner, Darren McCaughan, and Anthony Misisewicz some time on the mound, ensuring a full day of action.
Burns seems to have the edge in this rotation race, being the only contender with major league experience from last season. However, his path hasn't been without hurdles.
An injury sidelined him with a right flexor strain, and he spent time in the bullpen to manage his innings upon return. This season, monitoring his workload will be crucial.
Lowder's journey has been bumpy as well. After dealing with forearm discomfort last spring and an oblique injury later in the year, his 2025 was marred by setbacks. He managed to get some innings in Triple-A and showed promise in the Arizona Fall League, keeping him firmly in the mix.
Aguiar, who made his MLB debut in 2024, faced his own challenges with an elbow injury that required surgery. Last season was spent recovering, and now, both he and fellow pitcher Brandon Williamson are being carefully eased back into action. While both are contenders, the final decision for the rotation spot seems to be between Burns and Lowder.
This competition is heating up, and with the Reds' future on the line, each pitch in this opener could be a step closer to securing that coveted spot in the rotation. Fans should buckle up for an exciting ride as these pitchers make their case.