Jose

Franco

The positive news is that he didn’t suffer any ligament damage, according to Reds manager Terry Francona. Technically, Franco won’t be placed on the injured list since he got hurt while he was with Cincinnati as an extra player during Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Guardians. The 25-year-old figures to get a more extended look with the Reds at some point later this season, but he’s going to be down for a couple weeks.

Franco threw just 48 pitches across 3 2/3 scoreless innings during a bulk outing in the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader against Cleveland. He’ll undergo further evaluation to determine his next steps. He was up with the club as their 27th man for the twin bill.

Franco will get the ball for a bulk relief outing during Tuesday’s nightcap at Great American Ball Park following lefty opener Caleb Ferguson. The 25-year-old has allowed 11 runs — 10 earned — over 16 2/3 innings across nine appearances for the Reds this season. He can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

Franco was up for a little under a week. The 25-year-old is likely to be an up-and-down arm for 2026, and barring massive improvement, it’s likely to be his role beyond that.

Franco was optioned back to Triple-A at the end of last week when Nick Lodolo returned from the injured list. The 25-year-old hurler has posted a 4.30 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and a 12/11 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings in his first eight appearances at the Major League level. Luis Mey was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

The Reds needed a spot on the active roster for Nick Lodolo, so Franco was the odd man out. The 25-year-old has allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 15 hits in 14 2/3 innings out of the bullpen this season. He will likely get another chance this summer.

Franco returns for his second stint with the Reds after posting a respectable 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings over three appearances earlier this season. The 25-year-old rookie figures to pitch in middle relief.

Franco is carrying a 3.18 ERA in three appearances, but threw 31 pitches on Tuesday and 43 pitches on Thursday, so the Reds will opt for a fresh arm in the short term as the back-end bullpen shuffle commences.

The 25-year-old Franco was an early cut for the Reds, getting the boot on March 7, but now he’s up to make his major league debut, most likely anyway. He’ll be available in middle relief in case anything goes wrong for the Reds this weekend. Beyond that, the Reds would prefer that he start games for Triple-A Louisville.

Rodríguez is the notable name here for fantasy managers, especially in dynasty formats after slashing .283/.336/.450 with 19 homers and 15 steals across 135 games between two levels to finish last year at Triple-A. The 21-year-old will require some additional seasoning on the doorstep of the majors but he’s a power/speed combo talent worth watching throughout the season. Arroyo is one of Cincinnati’s top prospects entering the year after batting .284/.345/.371 with three homers and 12 steals in 120 games last season for Double-A Chattanooga.