Reds Pitchers Announced for Spring Training Opener vs. Guardians

The Cincinnati Reds will face the Cleveland Guardians in their first Spring Training game on Saturday.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Cincinnati Reds will kick off their Spring Training schedule on Saturday afternoon with a matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. The Reds have announced the pitchers who will take the mound, including Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, Julian Aguiar, Hagen Danner, Darren McCaughan, and Anthony Misiewicz, as they compete for roster spots.

Why it matters

This Spring Training game will provide an early look at some of the Reds' pitching prospects and non-roster invitees as they vie for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The Reds are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and will be evaluating their pitching depth throughout the spring.

The details

Chase Burns will get the start for the Reds, as he competes with Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson for the fifth spot in the rotation. Lowder is also in the mix after missing the 2025 season due to injury, while Julian Aguiar is a long shot to make the roster after missing all of 2025 following Tommy John surgery. The Reds also signed Hagen Danner, Darren McCaughan, and Anthony Misiewicz to minor league deals, and they will get a chance to showcase their talents in this game.

  • The Reds and Guardians will kick off at 3:05 ET on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Goodyear Ballpark.

The players

Chase Burns

A 23-year-old pitcher competing for the fifth spot in the Reds' rotation. In 2025, he appeared in 13 games, including 8 starts, with a 4.10 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 68 innings.

Rhett Lowder

A pitcher competing for the fifth spot in the Reds' rotation. Lowder appeared in minor league rehab games last season but has not pitched in a big league game since 2024.

Julian Aguiar

A long shot to make the Reds' Opening Day roster, Aguiar missed the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery. He last appeared in a game in 2024.

Hagen Danner

The Reds signed Danner, a former second-round draft pick, to a minor league deal this offseason. He spent 2025 in the Mariners organization and has not appeared in a big league game since 2023.

Darren McCaughan

The Reds signed McCaughan to a minor league deal this offseason. In 2025, he appeared in 3 games for the Twins, allowing just 1 run in 5.1 innings.

Anthony Misiewicz

The Reds added Misiewicz on a minor league deal in January. The 31-year-old has plenty of big league experience, appearing in 136 games from 2020 to 2025 with several different teams.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This Spring Training game will provide an early look at some of the Reds' pitching depth as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season. The competition for the fifth spot in the rotation and the performances of the non-roster invitees will be closely watched as the Reds aim to solidify their pitching staff for the upcoming season.