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.”
Also told they have made the club are outfielder Will Benson and reliever Connor Phillips. That means there are two bench spots still open for three players and one bullpen spot remaining.