The Reds have their starting rotation plan for 2026.
The Cincinnati Reds are preparing for the 2026 MLB season. Hunter Greene is expected to be out until July due to an injury, so Cincinnati is making an adjustment to the starting rotation. According to Charlie Goldsmith, the Reds will implement a six-man rotation to at least begin the new campaign.
Goldsmith mentioned that the Reds and a number of teams around MLB are using a sixth starter "in the bullpen on a part time basis." One would imagine that Brandon Williamson will be the sixth starter in that scenario.
When spring training began, it seemed as if Williamson, Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder were all competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Greene later suffered the injury, which opened up two rotation spots. However, all three pitchers ended up making the Opening Day roster.
Reds' Starting Rotation Outlook for 2026 Season
Andrew Abbott will start on Opening Day for Cincinnati. The 26-year-old has quietly emerged as one of the better pitchers in baseball over the past few years. He turned in his best season in 2025, as Abbott pitched to a 2.87 ERA across 29 starts.
Nick Lodolo and Brady Singer will follow Abbott in the rotation. Singer is a reliable veteran who has made at least 27 appearances in each of the past five seasons and at least 32 starts in each of the past two years. Lodolo has continued to take steps forward and he had a breakout season in 2025, as he pitched to a 3.33 ERA in 29 appearances.
Burns, Lowder and Williamson are all pitchers with bright futures. Burns and Lowder were top prospects in recent years, while Williamson is a 27-year-old who has potential but missed all of 2025 due to injury.
The Reds have legitimate starting rotation depth despite Greene's absence. It will require a team-effort to keep the ball club afloat until the ace returns from injury. The Reds will need Greene in order to make a serious playoff run, but the pitching depth should help the team be able to compete during his injury absence early in the season.
Pitching is the Reds' strength. The lineup features no shortage of question marks. If Cincinnati is going to make another playoff run, the team's pitching will need to lead the way throughout the upcoming 2026 campaign.
Perhaps the Reds' six-man starting rotation strategy will help the team achieve their goal.