Carson Spiers impresses in season debut, but Reds fall to Rangers

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CINCINNATI — Two years ago, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Carson Spiers went from earning his first big-league save to the Arizona Fall League.

Signed as an undrafted free agent after the truncated 2020 MLB Draft, Spiers started 2023 in the bullpen for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts before seizing his opportunity when the Reds had four players on the COVID-19 injured list and he was selected as a replacement player. He made a crucial start as the Reds tried to stay in playoff contention.

Spiers competed in his three big-league appearances before he was sent to Louisville for one start and then came back to the big-league team, earning a three-inning save in St. Louis. The next day, he was sent to Arizona to continue his development as a starter.

Spiers spent last season yo-yoing both in geography and roles — Louisville to Cincinnati and back three times. He made 10 starts in the big leagues and 12 relief appearances. In Louisville, he made eight starts and one relief appearance.

Through it, the affable Spiers watched, listened and learned.

This spring, Spiers went out and claimed a spot in the team’s rotation, moving former starter Graham Ashcraft to the bullpen. Tuesday night in his 2025 debut, the right-hander showed he’s capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings in a 1-0 loss to the Texas Rangers. On the other side, former postseason hero Nathan Eovaldi tossed a shutout, allowing just four hits and no walks.

The difference between the two was one pitch — a pitch he wanted up but left down to Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford in the first inning that Langford blasted 361 feet to left field for the game’s only run.

“I mean, shoot, give me six and one run and we’ll take it,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “He’s matured right in front of our eyes, and it’s fun to watch.”

That maturation process is impossible to fast-forward, coming only from experience. Two years ago at this time, Spiers was in Chattanooga’s bullpen. That fall, he was in the Arizona Fall League as Eovaldi racked up a record five postseason wins. Now, he’s here, showing he’s a bona fide big-leaguer.

“On the field and off the field, he’s matured, he’s more professional,” said Reds catcher Austin Wynns, who was behind the plate for Spiers on Tuesday and caught him last season. “He has a plan of what he wants to do before the start and building up to that start day. I’m proud of the kid, and he’s showing it.”

As he talked about his start after Tuesday’s loss, Spiers mentioned the mentoring he’s received from Reds veteran pitchers Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagán. Wynns said he’s seen Spiers pick the brains of all the team’s more experienced pitchers.

Spiers hasn’t added a new pitch or anything; that wasn’t necessary. It’s more about the mental side of the game and the confidence the last two years have given him.

“I think the biggest thing is just experience,” Spiers said. “I’m a big believer in that. I like building relationships. I like all that stuff and having another year with all the guys in here. I think that bodes well for me.”

And for the Reds.

Six strong innings from Carson Spiers: pic.twitter.com/1L97EZSA13

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 2, 2025

Reds’ closer is closer to return

There were no lights flickering on and off since it was 3:05 p.m. on a sunny and clear Tuesday afternoon at Great American Ball Park. But as Reds closer Alexis Díaz came in from the bullpen in left-center field to the mound to throw live batting practice, his entrance song, “Matador” by Marnik and Miami Blue, blasted over the stadium’s speakers.

There’s no way to simulate a big-league game, but having Díaz walk out to his own music was a nice touch before he threw to teammates Spencer Steer and Jacob Hurtubise.

Díaz was scheduled to throw a simulated inning and recorded “outs” in all three plate appearances. He said he could’ve continued throwing, but he finished the work.

Díaz struggled in spring training, not as much with his stuff, but with his command. The Reds believed the left hamstring injury he suffered early in camp affected his mechanics. The Reds staff designed a program to help him be more consistent with his landing foot and more balanced through his delivery.

“Those workouts I’ve been doing with (pitching coach Derek Johnson) with my front leg have been working really well,” Díaz said through Reds team interpreter Jorge Merlos. “I was attacking the zone like I normally do, and I felt really good overall.”

CES OK

The X-rays on first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s right hand showed no fracture after Rangers pitcher Gerson Garabito hit him with a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning in Monday’s victory. Encarnacion-Strand initially stayed in the game, coming around to score, but didn’t return for the seventh inning.

Jeimer Candelario started at first base Tuesday, with Santiago Espinal taking over at third base.

Encarnacion-Strand suffered a fracture in his right wrist last season after being hit by then-Rangers starter Michael Lorenzen. After trying to rehab the injury, he had season-ending surgery in July, limiting him to just 29 games in what was set to be his first full big-league season.

Encarnacion-Strand had two hits in each of the first two games of the season, including a home run in the Reds’ victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Francona said Encarnacion-Strand would hit in the cage before the game and could be available as a pinch hitter. Francona used the left-handed-hitting Hurtubise as a pinch hitter against the right-handed Eovaldi in the ninth inning. Hurtubise led off the inning with a single to right in place of Wynns.

Andrew Abbott allows two home runs in rehab start

Lefty Andrew Abbott made his first minor-league rehab start Tuesday night in Omaha, Neb., allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.

Abbott started the season on the injured list as he worked his way back from the left shoulder rotator cuff strain that prematurely ended his 2024 season. He started spring training behind the rest of the pitching staff but wasn’t that far behind, throwing a minor-league game in Arizona on Opening Day before Tuesday’s game in Omaha. Abbott wasn’t able to get to Omaha on Monday as planned because of traveling in 2025 but did get there Tuesday, Francona said.

Both runs Abbott allowed were home runs, one in the first inning and another in the sixth, his final inning of work.

Omaha left fielder John Rave hit Abbott’s third pitch of the game — and first strike — for a home run. In windy conditions, Rave hit the ball 335 feet over the left-field fence, which is 327 feet from home plate.

Former Red Joey Wiemer, who was sent to the Kansas City Royals along with Jonathan India in the team’s trade for Brady Singer, led off Abbott’s final inning with a home run. Wiemer pulled a curveball down the same left-field line, but his ball traveled 378 feet.

After Wiemer’s home run, Abbott got a fly out and then a strikeout, ending his night at 85 pitches (48 for strikes).

Abbott was scheduled to go six innings. He’d be available for the next time through the Reds’ rotation, or he could make another rehab start.

Where the Reds’ top prospects will begin the season

Though Louisville is already underway, the Reds’ other three full-season minor-league teams begin play Friday. The teams released their rosters Tuesday, so here’s a look at where The Athletic’s top 20 Reds prospects are beginning the season, including several who will begin the year at the team’s complex in Arizona:

1. RHP Chase Burns — High-A Dayton
2. RHP Rhett Lowder — Major League injured list (right forearm strain)
3. SS Edwin Arroyo — Double-A Chattanooga
4. 3B Cam Collier — 60-day injured list (left thumb surgery)
5. 3B/2B Sal Stewart — Double-A Chattanooga
6. SS Tyson Lewis — Arizona
7. SS Sammy Stafura — Class-A Daytona
8. C Alfredo Duno — Class-A Daytona
9. RHP Chase Petty — Triple-A Louisville
10. 2B Peyton Stovall — Arizona
11. RHP/DH Shen-En Lin — Arizona
12. LHP Adam Serwinowski — High-A Dayton
13. OF Hector Rodriguez — Double-A Chattanooga
14. 3B Ricardo Cabrera — High-A Dayton
15. RHP Luke Holman — Class-A Daytona
16. RHP Connor Phillips — Triple-A Louisville (seven-day injured list, arm fatigue)
17. LHP Tristan Smith — Arizona
18. RHP Ty Floyd — Class-A Daytona
19. RHP Luis Mey — Triple-A Louisville.
20. OF Kyle Henley — Class-A Daytona

(Photo: Jeff Dean / Getty Images)

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