Jose

Franco

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.

The 25-year-old right-hander struck out one batter on the afternoon. The Dodgers opened the top half of the first against him with a pair of singles, then used a ground ball and a sacrifice fly to move the runners around. Franco got three swings and misses on 49 pitches on the afternoon, registering an underwhelming CSW of only 18 percent. He’s expected to open the season in the rotation at Triple-A Louisville, but could be an option out of the bullpen at some point for the Reds.

It’s pretty cool seeing “Franco, J.” finishing up a game for the Reds. Jose generated an incredible 15 whiffs on the 24 swings he got in the 39-pitching outing. The 25-year-old was added to the Reds’ 40-man in November after finishing with a 3.11 ERA and a 118/54 K/BB in 110 innings between Double- and Triple-A last year. He’ll probably keep starting games in Triple-A to open 2026, but he should earn a look out of the pen at some point.

Franco has been added to Cincinnati’s 40-man roster to shield him from next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old righty posted a strong 3.11 ERA and 118/54 K/BB ratio over 110 innings across 31 appearances (26 starts) this past season between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville.