Reds Announce Six-Man Starting Rotation for 2026 Season

Young pitching staff aims to lead Cincinnati back to the playoffs

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:09am

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The Cincinnati Reds have announced they will carry six starting pitchers on their roster to open the 2026 MLB season, including young prospects Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson. They will join veterans Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, and Nick Lodolo in the rotation, with the hard-throwing Hunter Greene also expected to return from injury at some point. The Reds are hoping their deep and talented young pitching staff can help the team build on their surprise NL Wild Card appearance last season and make a deeper postseason run.

Why it matters

The Reds' decision to carry six starting pitchers reflects their commitment to developing their young talent and building a rotation that can withstand the rigors of a full season. With all seven projected starters under 30 years old, Cincinnati is betting on its emerging pitching staff to lead the team back to the playoffs and potentially contend for a championship in the coming years.

The details

The Reds' six-man rotation will feature three young up-and-coming starters in Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson, who will join veterans Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, and Nick Lodolo. Burns and Lowder were both former first-round picks who quickly rose through the minors, while Williamson was acquired in the trade that sent Luis Castillo to the Seattle Mariners. The Reds are also expecting hard-throwing right-hander Hunter Greene to return from injury at some point during the season, giving them even more depth in the rotation.

  • The Reds' announcement came on March 18, 2026, as spring training nears its end and the 2026 MLB regular season approaches.
  • The Reds are hoping their young rotation can help the team build on their surprise NL Wild Card appearance in the 2025 season.

The players

Chase Burns

A 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who was the Reds' second overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Burns is considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

Rhett Lowder

A former first-round pick who has quickly risen through the Reds' minor league system and is expected to be a key part of the team's rotation in 2026.

Brandon Williamson

A left-handed pitcher acquired by the Reds in the trade that sent Luis Castillo to the Seattle Mariners. Williamson is another young, promising arm that the Reds are counting on.

Andrew Abbott

A veteran right-hander who has been a steady presence in the Reds' rotation in recent seasons.

Brady Singer

A 29-year-old right-handed pitcher who is the oldest member of the Reds' projected starting rotation.

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What they’re saying

“Burns, Lowder, and Williamson all made the team. Six for five spots. They're all starters.”

— Charlie Goldsmith, Reds beat reporter

What’s next

The Reds will need to determine how to best utilize their six starting pitchers once the season begins, and they will also be hoping for a healthy return from Hunter Greene to further bolster their rotation.

The takeaway

The Reds' decision to carry six starting pitchers reflects their commitment to developing their young talent and building a rotation that can withstand the rigors of a full season. If this young pitching staff can live up to its potential, it could help lead the Reds back to the playoffs and potentially contend for a championship in the coming years.