Reds Beat: As Opening Day Arrives, Terry Francona Cautions ‘We’re Not The Finished Product…But We’re Going To Work Towards It’

CINCINNATI — Time for the Terry Francona era to begin in earnest.

With a new manager in place, the Cincinnati Reds open the 2025 season today when they host the San Francisco Giants in the traditional National League opener in Cincinnati.

Right-hander Hunter Greene (9-5, 2.75 in 2024) gets his second career opening day start for the Reds. Greene is coming off the best season of his three-year career in the Majors. San Francisco counters with right-hander Logan Webb (13-10, 3.47), who has posted double-figure wins in four consecutive seasons.

“If we win, we’re going to the World Series, if we lose we’re going to stink,” Francona joked about the big “overreation” day in baseball. “Hopefully that’s not the case. We’re not the finished product. We know that, but we’re going to work towards it.”

Francona replaces David Bell as manager after Bell was fired with just five games remaining in Cincinnati’s 2024 campaign, a season that ended with a 77-85 mark.

The Reds under Francona were 12-17 in spring training, showing signs of power as Hunter Greene indicated Wednesday, terming the Reds’ offense a “hitting clinic”.

Cincinnati’s 2024 season held great expectations at the start but disappointed fans as injuries to regulars like Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand derailed hopes of making a run at the NL Central title.

This year will start with more significant injuries for the Reds as starting catcher Tyler Stephenson (left oblique), Austin Hays (left calf) and closer Alexis Diaz (hamstring) will all open on the injured list. Spencer Steer is active but limited to designated hitter duties while he works up to throwing and strengthening his right shoulder.

Still, the Reds have great expectations with a roster that includes additions with playoff experience. With Stephenson injured, Jose Trevino – acquired from the New York Yankees – will start as catcher. Gavin Lux, who earned a World Series ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers, will get starts at third base and left field. Austin Hays, after a playing last year with Baltimore and Philadelphia, offers depth in the outfield when he is expected to return from the IL in early April.

The manager has World Series experience himself, having won a pair of titles with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and ’07, and coming within a Game 7 loss in 2016 with Cleveland of winning a third.

“I think the guys felt good about themselves,” Francona said. “That’s what you’re shooting for. We’ve asked a ton of these guys this spring, because of some newness on my part. They’ve worked their (tails) off. They do it every day. We ask them to try something, and they do it.

“It’s been a great spring. On our staff, (existing coaches from old staff) have welcomed the new coaches. We’ve meshed well together. I’d say the cooperation level has been off the charts. We know we’re not the finished product. But that’s OK. We’ll go try to figure it out.”

Cincinnati hasn’t won the NL Central since Dusty Baker led the Reds to a 97-win season in 2012.

Reds opening day roster:

Starting Pitchers: Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer, Carson Spiers
Relievers: Brent Suter, Sam Moll, Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan, Ian Gibaut, Graham Ashcraft, Scott Barlow
Outfielders: TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, Blake Dunn, Jacob Hurtubise, Spencer Steer (DH only)
Infielders: Gavin Lux, Santiago Espinal, Jeimer Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain
Catchers: Jose Trevino, Austin Wynns
10-day IL: Tyler Stephenson, Austin Hays
15-day IL: Alexis Diaz, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder
60-day IL: Brandon Williamson

The Giants are also coming off a disappointing season that ended with a losing record, finishing 80-82 in 2024, fourth in the highly competitive NL West.

The Giants made one big splash in free agency, signing shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract, including a $22 million signing bonus, making it the largest contract in club history.

Off the field, the Giants made a significant front office change, firing Farhan Zaidi as president of baseball operations and hiring former star catcher Buster Posey to take Zaidi’s place in that role.

The Giants start the season without outfielder Jerar Encarnacion, who fractured his left ring finger Friday when he came down on his glove hand on a diving catch attempt against the Guardians in a Cactus League game. He is scheduled for surgery on the finger this week and is out indefinitely.

Encarnacion hit .302 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in spring training, and was in line to make San Francisco’s opening day roster after batting .248 with five homers in 2024.

NOTES from Workout Day:

On Wednesday, the Reds set their Opening Day roster with one procedural exception.

Francona informed Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise that they had made the roster as outfielders. Stuart Fairchild will be designated for assignment today to make room for Austin Wynns on the 40-man roster. Wynns takes the place of Tyler Stephenson, who begins the season on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. Also on the 10-day IL is outfielder Austin Hays with a left calf strain. Both could come off after six games of regular season play, meaning they could return in time for the opening road trip in Milwaukee and San Francisco. Francona said it was a very, very low grade strain for Hays and he could only miss six games.

Pitchers are designated for 15-day IL stints, and the Reds placed LHP Andrew Abbott (left shoulder rotator cuff strain), RHP Alexis Diaz (left hamstring strain) and RHP Rhett Lowder (right forearm strain) on the 15-day IL, all retro to March 24. Lefty Brandon Williamson, out for the season due to Tommy John surgery rehab, was placed on the 60-day IL.

Spencer Steer starts season on active roster, will only DH

OFs are Fraley, Friedl, Hays, Dunn (Lux in a pinch)

INF Gavin Lux, Jeimer Candelario, Santiago Espinal, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand

Tony Santillan is obviously closer choice but others could emerge

Francona mentions Brent Suter, Graham Ashcraft as potential relievers in a longer role