GOODYEAR, Ariz. – In the battle of three young pitchers for two starting rotation spots on the Reds, the club decided no one was going to lose out. Manager Terry Francona revealed Tuesday that Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson have all been told they made the club to open the season.
“And between those three to start the season – we’re not going to have a six-man rotation but we have six for five," Francona said. "Lowder didn’t pitch last year. Williamson hadn’t pitched in 15 months and Burns has 13 Minor League starts. We’re trying to help those guys along and not sacrifice winning.
“You’ll see Willie either potentially come in after Burns or start a game and have Lowder. I don’t think we feel the need to say it ahead of time as far as strategy goes, but that’s kind of where we’re sitting. You’ll see them pitch one of those two days.”
Francona clarified that none of the three pitchers will be used as relievers in games other than potentially the days the fourth or fifth starter works. It's not quite a tandem or piggyback start situation, according to the manager.
“I think the score dictates certain things," Francona said. "If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it where these guys have a chance to have as normal a build-up progression to their pitching as they can. We’re not going to do this forever because it won’t work. But starting out, especially with guys not being all the way stretched out, if somebody has a long inning, we think this can maybe help that along.”
It will be the first Opening Day in the big leagues for all three pitchers. When camp opened, they – along with Julian Aguiar – were competing for the fifth spot. Once it was learned Hunter Greene would be on the injured list until July, a second spot opened.
“It’s cool. It says a lot about the staff," said Burns, the 2024 second overall Draft pick who had his first pro season in 2025. "There are a lot of good guys that it’s hard to pick from. Rhett said earlier that we’ll just feed off each other. It’s going to be good. I’m excited.”
An electric right-hander frequently able to top 100 mph with his fastball, the 23-year-old Burns made only 13 Minor League starts before being promoted to the big leagues in June. He was 0-3 with a 4.57 ERA in 13 games, including eight starts. After a Grade 1 right flexor tendon strain in mid-August, he missed a month and returned as a reliever for the stretch drive and into the National Wild Card Series vs. the Dodgers.
In four spring starts, Burns has posted a 4.50 ERA, but his latest outing on Friday vs. the Giants was limited to two scoreless innings because of what was termed a "deload," as he works on his flexibility and developing a better between-starts program. He is scheduled to make his final Cactus League start on Wednesday vs. the Angels.
"Just took some time off and got back into it with a little better routine. I feel good," Burns said.
Lowder, 24, was the seventh overall selection in 2023 and also reached the big leagues during his first pro season in 2024. In six starts, he posted a 1.17 ERA, but was unable to follow it last season, missing all of '25. He first dealt with right elbow soreness, followed by a serious left oblique strain that happened during a Minor League rehab assignment.
"Been a long year. Getting that news was sweet," said Lowder, who has a 3.75 spring ERA in four games. “I’ll probably have a second set of emotions when it’s actually Opening Day, being there and seeing the crowd and everything. I’m just super excited now.”
Williamson, 27, has a 1.64 ERA in four spring games and worked a combined seven scoreless innings in his two starts. The lefty debuted in 2023 but missed most of 2024 with shoulder soreness. After only four starts near season's end, his ulnar collateral ligament tore, requiring Tommy John surgery that led to him missing all of 2025.
“He’s probably pitched better than anybody here," Francona said. "The thing that he hasn’t done is go every five days for a whole year because he’s been hurt. It’s not his fault, but we also have an obligation to try to help him along."
All three pitchers were given their good news separately and were briefed on how they could be used.
“I’m just looking forward to helping the team win any way I can," Lowder said. "That’s what it’s all about once the season gets going. Spring, you’re trying to check boxes and work on things and fight for a spot on the team. Once the games start, winning is the only thing that matters, however that may be.”