CINCINNATI -- It's a date that many Reds fans are always eager to know in advance, but then they grow impatient for its arrival: the start of Spring Training.
It's not too early to begin the countdown. The Reds announced Thursday that their pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to camp at Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 13 and hold their first workout on Feb. 14.
• Reds Spring Training info | Schedule
Positions players have their report date and physicals slated for Feb. 16, with the first full-squad workout coming on Feb. 17.

Spring Training is slightly longer this year to accommodate the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Also revealed was the Reds' 36-game Cactus League schedule that begins Feb. 24 vs. the Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz. Cincinnati's first home game at Goodyear Ballpark is on Feb. 26, also against San Francisco.
Here are some highlights of the Cactus League schedule:
• The Reds will play the World Series-champion Cubs five times during Spring Training. There are two games in Goodyear, on March 2 and March 22. They will play the Cubs in Mesa, Ariz., on March 3 and send a split squad to Las Vegas for two more games on March 25-26.
• There will be fewer games this spring vs. the co-tenant at Goodyear Ballpark, the Indians. Cincinnati will play the American League champions as the visiting team on Feb. 25 and March 17, and as the home team on March 29, the Cactus League finale.
• Other spring opponents that reached the 2016 postseason include the Dodgers, who the Reds will play on March 14 in Glendale, Ariz., and on March 28 in Goodyear. The Reds also host the Rangers on March 18 and have two additional games vs. the Giants in Scottsdale on March 11 and March 27.
For more information on the Spring Training schedule, Goodyear Ballpark and tickets, go to reds.com/spring.
Following Spring Training, the Reds will barnstorm for two games at the sites of Minor League affiliates vs. a Futures roster. They will play at Triple-A Louisville on March 31 at 6:15 p.m. ET and at Class A Dayton on April 1 at 1:35 p.m. ET.
The Reds will open the 2017 regular season at Great American Ball Park vs. the Phillies on April 3.