GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Three of the four contenders for the fifth spot in the Reds’ rotation -- Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder and Julian Aguiar -- all saw action on Saturday in a 4-2 loss to the Guardians in Cincinnati's Cactus League opener at Goodyear Ballpark with two innings of work each.
While Reds fans didn't have to wait long to see the competition, it was an incredibly long wait to get into games for Lowder and Aguiar after missing all of 2025 with injuries.
“We’re talking about guys making clubs and competing and stuff. They haven’t pitched competitively in a long time," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "What will be even more important is when they have their side day next and then they answer the bell and get into a routine.”
Here's a rundown of each pitchers' afternoon vs. Cleveland:
Burns uses off-speed pitches well
Burns, 23, pitched two scoreless innings with three walks and two strikeouts over 32 pitches (15 strikes). The right-hander overcame a pair of four-pitch walks in the bottom of the first inning and a two-out walk in the second.
The second overall pick in the 2024 Draft who debuted in electric fashion in '25, Burns acknowledged being a little nervous and having the jitters before starting on Saturday.
"It means you care. It felt great out there," Burns said.
Secondary pitches have been a focus for Burns, and he was pleased that his in-development changeup induced a weak flyout to center field by leadoff hitter Steven Kwan. In the second inning, CJ Kayfus fanned on a third-strike slider in the dirt.
“I didn’t throw a curveball. My changeup was really good. It gives me a lot of confidence. I was kind of pulling the fastball today," Burns said.
After issuing a one-out walk in the first inning, he struck out his next batter, José Ramírez, on three-straight pitches capped by a rising 98-mph fastball.
"I felt like the fastball was good when I stayed behind it," Burns said.
Lowder pleased with his outing
Lowder, who missed all of last season with right elbow soreness and then a left oblique strain, pitched in a big league setting for the first time since Sept. 28, 2024, vs. the Cubs. He admitted to being a little excited in the bullpen.
“I think I threw a couple too many pitches out there," Lowder said.
But once Lowder got to the mound, familiar face Tyler Stephenson was behind the plate to catch for him, which helped him settle in.
“I wasn’t really thinking about the hitter as much but honestly, it was just good to get back with Tyler," Lowder said. "He taught me a lot about how I call my own game. So just getting back with somebody that’s super familiar with me, it’s a lot of fun. Makes it easier on me.”
Using 37 pitches (23 strikes), Lowder allowed one earned run, two hits and one walk with four strikeouts during the third and fourth innings. To end the third inning, he struck out Ramírez with an 88-mph changeup.
“It was a good at-bat," Lowder said. "I kind of threw the whole kitchen sink at him, threw a little bit of everything."
Burns stayed in the dugout to watch Lowder -- MLB Pipeline's No. 86 overall prospect and a fellow Wake Forest product who was taken No. 7 overall by Cincinnati in the 2023 Draft.
“That’s my boy," Burns said. "I’m happy to see him back out there feeling good and feeling healthy. He was good. He’s nasty. His changeup is really good. I throw with him every day so I get to see it in [his] work and what he’s been working on. I’m happy for him.”
Aguiar uses all of his pitches
Aguiar, Cincinnati's No. 16 prospect, gave up one earned run, two hits and a walk with two strikeouts. He worked a quick eight-pitch fifth inning but had to work to get through a 22-pitch sixth.
“First and foremost, it was getting back on a mound and feeling like me," said Aguiar, who last pitched for the Reds on Sept. 19, 2024, vs. the Braves before needing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. "I feel like today, I flushed the rehab side of it, flushed the injury side of it and after today the next outing is going to be, compete for that spot."
Aguiar led with his sinker and slider but threw all five of the pitches in his repertoire.
“You can’t be shy to throw any one of your pitches so you’ve got to use all of them," Aguiar said. "Most importantly, we went out there and attacked the zone, really.”