Cincinnati Reds Wiretap

The Cincinnati Reds have moved up their timetable for right-hander Hunter Greene's return, with the team hopeful that their ace can be back on the mound before the All-Star break in July.

Greene, who was the Reds' Opening Day starter in 2023 and 2025, had bone chips removed on March 11. Cincinnati expected him to be sidelined 14 to 16 weeks.

He is scheduled to throw live batting practice Monday, manager Terry Francona told reporters Saturday, and he could soon start a minor league rehab assignment to build up his arm strength.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz left Sunday's 6-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves with right hamstring tightness after reaching first base in the fifth inning and will undergo an MRI on Monday.

De La Cruz singled to right-center off Braves starter Spencer Strider with Cincinnati leading 3-2. The contact would typically have resulted in a double, but De La Cruz stopped at first after visibly grimacing. He walked off the field unassisted following a brief visit from training staff.

"When I was making the turn to get to first, I felt tightness in my hamstring and immediately decided to stop because I felt like if I keep going it could get worse," De La Cruz said through interpreter Tomas Vera.

The injury puts De La Cruz's active games streak in jeopardy. He has appeared in 276 consecutive games, the sixth-longest such run by a Reds player in the expansion era dating to 1961. The streak began July 30, 2024.

Reds manager Terry Francona said the club was cautiously optimistic but would wait for imaging results before drawing conclusions.

"He feels like he caught it before it did anything worse," Francona said. "Saying that, we're going to get him scanned at 9 in the morning and we'll know more."

De La Cruz was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk before exiting. He is batting .280 with 12 home runs this season.

"He's the heart and soul of this team," said Reds left fielder JJ Bleday. "When everyone thinks Reds right now they're thinking Elly De La Cruz. Hopefully it's nothing serious."

De La Cruz expressed measured confidence about the severity of the injury.

"I don't believe it is something bad. I really don't," he said. "We'll see what the MRI says tomorrow. I don't feel that bad. I don't know if I'll be playing tomorrow. I don't like to be out of the game."

Four years after considering retirement, Bryan Torres made it to the major leagues at age 28 and homered for the St. Louis Cardinals in his debut.

"Eleven years to get to here," Torres said, fighting back tears after helping the Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader. "I'm not a homer guy. Today, my debut, it just happened. I've been learning to manage the pressure. When the heart is going too fast, you have to slow things down. I felt a little pounding in my chest today."

Torres, who first played minor league ball in 2015, hit seventh and played left field.

With nearly two months of the 2026 season complete, 22 players from the preseason MLB top 100 prospect list have graduated from eligibility, reshuffling the rankings ahead of what figures to be an active trade deadline season.

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made, 19, moves to the top spot after posting 90th percentile exit velocities that rank among big league averages despite playing in Double-A. His ability to control the strike zone and his defensive profile stand out, though scouts note his swing produces insufficient lift to translate his raw power into home run totals. If that changes in the second half, a significant ranking jump could follow.

Among the most notable movers is Boston Red Sox shortstop Franklin Arias, who climbs from 36th to sixth after posting improved exit velocity and lift rates while maintaining contact. Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries jumps to second after his profile helped pry All-Star closer Mason Miller from Oakland. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Seth Hernandez rises from 49th to seventh after slider and fastball shape improvements unlocked his ceiling.

Notable graduates from the list include the previous top two prospects, Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle, along with Samuel Basallo, JJ Wetherholt, Bubba Chandler, Carson Benge, Andrew Painter, and Carson Williams, among others.

Seven players currently on active big league rosters remain eligible but could graduate within weeks.

Top-50 MLB Prospects

60FV
1. Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 3)
2. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics (Previous: 11)
3. Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 6)
4. Max Clark, CF, Detroit Tigers (Previous: 8)
5. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers (Previous: 5)
6. Franklin Arias, SS, Boston Red Sox (Previous: 36)
7. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 49)
8. Eli Willits, SS, Washington Nationals (Previous: 41)
9. Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 16)
10. George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees (Previous: 20)
11. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 23)
12. Walker Jenkins, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 9)
13. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 14)
14. A.J. Ewing, CF, New York Mets (Previous: 28)
15. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 19)
16. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Previous: 10)
17. Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 24)

55 FV
18. Josue De Paula, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 21)
19. Josuar Gonzalez, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 30)
20. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres (Previous: 110)
21. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous: 63)
22. Thomas White, LHP, Miami Marlins (Previous: 18)
23. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds (Previous: 29)
24. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 54)
25. Caleb Bonemer, 3B, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 34)
26. Luis Pena, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 26)
27. Ethan Holliday, SS, Colorado Rockies (Previous: 66)
28. Liam Doyle, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 50)
29. Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Previous: 56)
30. Theo Gillen, CF, Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 92)
31. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 33)
32. Jett Williams, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 32)
33. JoJo Parker, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 52)
34. Zyhir Hope, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 40)

50 FV
35. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 53)
36. Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets (Previous: 31)
37. Noah Schultz, LHP, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 96)
38. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 79)
39. Angel Genao, SS, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 80)
40. Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 42)
41. Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 84)
42. Emmanuel Rodriguez, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 97)
43. Josh Hammond, SS, Kansas City Royals (Previous: 132)
44. Edward Florentino, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 78)
45. Eduardo Quintero, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 37)
46. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Previous: NR)
47. Eduardo Tait, C, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 38)
48. Didier Fuentes, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 88)
49. River Ryan, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 125)
50. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 60)

The Reds signed Brandon Phillips to a ceremonial one-day contract Saturday to ensure the four-time Gold Glove Award winner would retire with the team.

"It was a dream come true," Phillips said. "For me to officially retire, this was the only place I wanted to do it. For this to really happen, this is where I wanted to be. This is my home."

Monday’s series opener will be broadcast locally on Rays.TV (Rays feed) and Reds.TV / WXIX FOX19 (Reds feed). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Fans can stream the game in high definition on Fubo, which offers access to regional sports networks and national MLB coverage.

The Cincinnati Reds (14-8) head to Tropicana Field this Monday, April 20, to open a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (12-9). Cincinnati arrives as the surprise frontrunner of the NL Central, fueled by a dynamic young roster and a penchant for late-inning heroics. Meanwhile, the Rays remain a picture of efficiency, sporting the American League’s highest team batting average (.259) as they look to close the gap in the AL East.

Cincinnati’s offense is centered around the electrifying Elly De La Cruz, who is batting .293 with 6 home runs on the season. The rookie standout Sal Stewart has also been a massive contributor, leading the team with 7 home runs and 10 RBIs. Tampa Bay counters with their own phenom, Junior Caminero, who has slugged three home runs over his last 10 games. Expect a clash of styles as the Reds' aggressive baserunning meets the Rays' clinical approach. Catch every pitch live on Fubo.

The individual matchups feature Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder (2-1, 3.52 ERA), who has quickly become a reliable arm in the rotation. Tampa Bay has yet to officially name a starter, suggesting a potential "bullpen day" or a late-call decision, which is a classic Rays maneuver to keep opposing hitters off-balance. You can witness this interleague clash streaming live on Fubo.

The defining storyline for the Reds is their resilience despite missing ace Hunter Greene. Their ability to steal wins on the road (8-2 road record) has been the talk of the league. For Tampa Bay, the key is navigating an injury-depleted pitching staff while maintaining their high-contact offensive production. Fubo is your home for the complete broadcast.

Reds vs. Rays Betting Odds & Predictions

The Rays enter as narrow home favorites. Despite the Reds' superior record, oddsmakers are respecting Tampa Bay's 4-2 home mark and their elite contact metrics at the Trop.

Prediction: Rhett Lowder has shown poise beyond his years, but the Rays' lineup is notoriously difficult to navigate a second and third time through. Expect a high-energy game where the bullpens determine the outcome. Final Score: Rays 5, Reds 4.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features the power of Sal Stewart against the Rays' tactical pitching staff. Stewart has been a "stat-stuffer" early this season, anchoring the middle of the Cincinnati order.

*Stats over last 10 games.

Tampa Bay relies on the disciplined approach of Yandy Díaz and the breakout power of Junior Caminero to lead an offense that ranks 1st in the AL in team batting average.

*Stats over last 10 games.

Stream the MLB on Fubo

Fubo is the essential destination for baseball fans. Catch regional sports networks like Rays.TV and Reds.TV, national broadcasts, and premier matchups with the most flexible streaming plans available, ensuring you never miss a highlight from the Reds or Rays.

Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Reds as they continue their historic run at the top of the division.

Frequently Asked Questions

Major League Baseball's average salary climbed 3.4% to a record $5.34 million on Opening Day, according to an Associated Press study, with the New York Mets topping league payrolls for the fourth consecutive year at $352.2 million.

Mets outfielder Juan Soto remains the sport's highest-paid player for the second straight season at $61.9 million annually, placing him among the highest-compensated athletes across all major North American professional sports. New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger ranks second at $42.5 million, followed by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler and Mets third baseman Bo Bichette, who are tied at $42 million. Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sits fifth at $40.2 million, just ahead of Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge at $40 million.

Across sports, the top of the market is converging. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott carries an average annual value of approximately $60 million in the NFL, while Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry earns $59.6 million in the NBA this season, putting all three leagues within a narrow range at the very top of the pay scale.

The broader salary picture, however, differs considerably by sport. The NBA's average salary for roster players sits just under $14 million during the 2025-26 season, driven by smaller rosters that concentrate league revenue among fewer players. The NFL average was approximately $3.2 million in 2025, reflecting the league's significantly larger rosters. MLB's $5.34 million average falls between the two, though roster sizes in baseball and football are substantially larger than in basketball.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ranked second in MLB payroll at $316.6 million, down slightly from $319.5 million last year. Their figure would rise to $395.2 million without present-value discounting applied to deferred contracts for nine players.

MLB's average salary has grown 28 percent under the current five-year collective bargaining agreement, which expires in December, an average annual increase of 5.6%. Six clubs carried payrolls above $250 million, up from four a year ago, while eight teams fell below $100 million, an increase from five.

The Detroit Tigers posted the largest year-over-year spending increase at $64.2 million, reaching $206.7 million after signing pitcher Framber Valdez and giving a significant raise to ace Tarik Skubal through arbitration. The Minnesota Twins recorded the steepest decline, slashing $46.3 million from its Opening Day payroll to settle at $96.5 million.

The Cleveland Guardians were the MLB's lowest-spending team at $62.3 million, less than one-fifth of the Mets' total outlay.

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The pageantry of professional baseball returns to the Queen City this Thursday as the Boston Red Sox visit the Cincinnati Reds for a high-stakes 2026 Opening Day at Great American Ball Park. While the sports world remains gripped by the final stages of the Sweet 16, the diamond is ready to steal the spotlight with a premier interleague pitching matchup. Fans can catch every strikeout of this national broadcast live on Sling TV.

This Opening Day encounter is a collision of dominant left-handed pitching. The Red Sox hand the ball to 26-year-old ace Garrett Crochet, who is coming off a sensational 2025 campaign where he finished second in AL Cy Young voting. Crochet, known as "The Beast," led the league with 255 strikeouts and established himself as the premier power lefty in the American League. Conversely, the Reds counter with Andrew Abbott, the anchor of a Cincinnati rotation looking to prove that last year’s playoff run was just the beginning. As Boston enters the season with renewed World Series aspirations under Alex Cora, the battle between Crochet’s high-velocity heater and the Reds’ young, aggressive lineup will be the story of the afternoon. You can witness every tactical adjustment live on Sling TV.

The 2026 Red Sox are banking on a breakout from top prospect Roman Anthony and another massive year from Rafael Devers, who remains the cornerstone of the Boston offense. Supporting them is an improved pitching staff that added veteran Sonny Gray in the offseason to follow Crochet. Meanwhile, the Reds feature arguably the most exciting player in baseball, Elly De La Cruz, who looks to improve upon a 2025 season where his power-speed combination terrified National League pitchers. This 4:10 PM ET matchup is a perfect showcase of the MLB's new generation of stars, and Sling TV is your home for the full national broadcast.

How to watch Red Sox vs. Reds

Thursday's Opening Day game will be broadcast across regional and national networks, with live coverage beginning at 3:30 PM ET. The most flexible way to catch the most MLB action throughout the 2026 season is through Sling TV, providing fans with an affordable and high-definition way to watch on any device.

Yahoo Sports has released its annual 26-and-under organizational power rankings, evaluating all 30 MLB clubs on their young major league contributors and upper-level prospects. The Milwaukee Brewers claimed the top spot with a score of 22 out of 30, while the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres shared the bottom at nine points.

The rankings weight productive young big leaguers more heavily than unproven minor leaguers, with scores distributed across four categories: young MLB hitters, young MLB pitchers, prospect hitters, and prospect pitchers.

Milwaukee earned the crown behind outfielder Jackson Chourio, a deep young pitching staff led by Jacob Misiorowski and Quinn Priester, and a loaded prospect pool headlined by shortstop Jesus Made and catcher Jeferson Quero.

The Seattle Mariners ranked second at 21 points, driven by outfielder Julio Rodriguez and right-hander Bryan Woo. The Pittsburgh Pirates placed third at 18 points, earning a perfect 10-out-of-10 score for young MLB pitchers anchored by Paul Skenes.

The Boston Red Sox suffered the sharpest drop in this cycle, falling from first in 2025 to 11th. Despite an impressive young hitting core featuring Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer, Boston's pitching depth dragged its overall score to 16.

The Baltimore Orioles dropped from second to seventh despite Gunnar Henderson's continued emergence. Their young pitching staff scored just one out of ten, reflecting significant rotation concerns.

San Diego's fall from 15th to 29th was equally dramatic. The Padres' young core is nearly entirely dependent on outfielder Jackson Merrill, with limited depth elsewhere.

The Kansas City Royals earned a perfect 10-out-of-10 for young MLB hitters, powered by Bobby Witt Jr., yet ranked ninth overall due to thin pitching across both categories.

Full 26-And-Under Rankings:

1. Milwaukee Brewers: 22/30
2. Seattle Mariners: 21/30
3. Pittsburgh Pirates: 18/30
4. Athletics: 18/30
5. Cincinnati Reds: 18/30
6. New York Mets: 18/30
7. Baltimore Orioles: 16/30
8. Arizona Diamondbacks: 16/30
9. Kansas City Royals: 16/30
10. Detroit Tigers: 16/30
11. Boston Red Sox: 16/30
12. Los Angeles Dodgers: 16/30
13. Cleveland Guardians: 16/30
14. Miami Marlins: 16/30
15. St. Louis Cardinals: 16/30
16. Chicago Cubs: 15/30
17. Washington Nationals: 15/30
18. Chicago White Sox: 15/30
19. New York Yankees: 15/30
20. Atlanta Braves: 14/30
21. Tampa Bay Rays: 14/30
22. Texas Rangers: 14/30
23. Minnesota Twins: 13/30
24. Toronto Blue Jays: 12/30
25. Los Angeles Angels: 12/30
26. Philadelphia Phillies: 10/30
27. Houston Astros: 10/30
28. San Francisco Giants: 9/30
29. San Diego Padres: 9/30
30. Colorado Rockies: 9/30

Major League Baseball franchise values climbed 12% on average to $3.17 billion, marking the largest year-over-year gain since Sportico launched its baseball valuations in 2021. The rise comes despite mounting concerns over revenue disparity, regional sports network struggles and a potential labor stoppage that some warn could threaten the 2027 season.

The New York Yankees retained the top spot for the sixth consecutive year at $9.4 billion. The Los Angeles Dodgers narrowed the gap significantly, rising 17% to $9.05 billion. The Yankees held a 46% premium over the Dodgers in 2021; that margin has shrunk to just 4%.

The Dodgers generated $1.1 billion in gross revenue last year — a threshold previously reached only by the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and LaLiga's Real Madrid. Shohei Ohtani, a two-time NL MVP who led the club to back-to-back World Series titles, has driven sponsorship revenue above $200 million. Dodger Stadium drew a franchise-record 4,012,470 fans in 2025.

The Toronto Blue Jays, who fell to the Dodgers in the World Series, saw their value jump 21% to $2.9 billion following a $300 million renovation of Rogers Centre.

The San Diego Padres represent baseball's most anticipated pending sale. Multiple billionaires have submitted initial bids, including Clearlake Capital co-founder Jose E. Feliciano, Everton and AS Roma owner Dan Friedkin and Golden State Warriors managing partner Joe Lacob. The team is expected to fetch more than $3 billion.

MLB's 30 clubs collectively generated an estimated $13.1 billion last year. Local cable revenue dropped roughly 10% amid ongoing regional sports network turmoil. Despite overall growth, MLB's value-to-revenue multiple of 7.2x still trails the NBA (13.5x), NFL (10.3x), MLS (9.2x) and NHL (8.4x).

2026 MLB Franchise Valuations via Sportico

1. New York Yankees: $9.4B (+12%)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers: $9.05B (+17%)
3. Boston Red Sox: $6.65B (+10%)
4. Chicago Cubs: $6.48B (+14%)
5. San Francisco Giants: $4.36B (+4%)
6. Atlanta Braves: $4.11B (+11%)
7. Philadelphia Phillies: $3.75B (+11%)
8. Houston Astros: $3.65B (+7%)
9. New York Mets: $3.58B (+15%)
10. San Diego Padres: $3.1B (+34%)
11. St. Louis Cardinals: $3.03B (+7%)
12. Toronto Blue Jays: $2.9B (+21%)
13. Los Angeles Angels: $2.78B (+7%)
14. Texas Rangers: $2.77B (+12%)
15. Washington Nationals: $2.31B (+3%)
16. Seattle Mariners: $2.23B (+14%)
17. Detroit Tigers: $2.08B (+20%)
18. Chicago White Sox: $2.05B (+1%)
19. Athletics: $2.0B (+27%)
20. Milwaukee Brewers: $1.94B (+19%)
21. Baltimore Orioles: $1.91B (+5%)
22. Arizona Diamondbacks: $1.82B (+18%)
23. Minnesota Twins: $1.71B (+1%)
24. Tampa Bay Rays: $1.7B (+26%)
25. Colorado Rockies: $1.68B (+13%)
26. Cincinnati Reds: $1.67B (+8%)
27. Cleveland Guardians: $1.64B (+7%)
28. Kansas City Royals: $1.63B (+20%)
29. Pittsburgh Pirates: $1.58B (+14%)
30. Miami Marlins: $1.45B (+12%)