Cincinnati Reds News Roundup — September 17, 2026

The Cincinnati Reds' 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, which snapped a 10-game losing streak against them, proved to be a brief bright spot in an otherwise disappointing stretch. Elly De La Cruz homered and Juan Brito collected three hits as the Reds' offense produced 13 hits total, taking advantage of a Dodgers bullpen game after Blake Snell departed in the first inning with a groin injury. However, the Reds could not build on that momentum, losing the series finale 8-2 to clinch a losing season at 71-82. Brady Singer was knocked out in the fourth inning after allowing seven runs on nine hits with four walks, continuing a catastrophic stretch in which he has posted a 9.17 ERA over his last seven starts.

The collapse of Cincinnati's starting rotation has been the defining problem of the season. The Reds' rotation has fallen from second in baseball last year with 15.6 fWAR to 22nd this year with 8.0 fWAR, with Brady Singer and Andrew Abbott among the worst starters in baseball by FIP. Singer's recent performance has made a qualifying offer from the team unlikely, as paying an estimated $23 million for a mid-rotation starter with a 5.57 ERA would be difficult to justify. The team's pitching struggles stand in stark contrast to the Milwaukee Brewers' excellence, which manager Terry Francona highlighted when discussing the Brewers' pursuit of a fourth straight division title. Francona suggested the Reds should focus on adding athletic, complementary role players around Elly De La Cruz and Chase Burns to compete in the division, while also addressing their last-place defensive ranking at minus-48 Defensive Runs Saved.

On the positive side for Cincinnati's future, first baseman Sal Stewart has emerged as the clear frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year, leading all NL rookies with 157 hits, 31 home runs, and 108 RBIs. De La Cruz has also continued to produce, reaching 28 home runs on the season. Meanwhile, off-field developments suggest stability in the front office, as Nick Krall is expected to remain as president of baseball operations despite fan frustration with the team's performance. The Reds also have a financial incentive to retain Noelvi Marte on their roster, as his service time situation means he will earn only the league minimum in 2027 rather than receiving an arbitration raise, potentially giving the organization another opportunity to develop the young outfielder.