Reds spring lineup reveal comes with unexpected surprise

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe Cincinnati Reds will take the field for the first time this spring for their Cactus League opener against longtime in-state rival, the Cleveland Guardians. Terry Francona is entering his second season at the helm, and the Reds manager is ready to show the rest of Major League Baseball that his team is ready for the spotlight in 2026.

Francona's lineup for the spring opener features an interesting (and somewhat unexpected) twist. Though most Reds fans probably assumed rookie infielder Sal Stewart would be at first base for Cincinnati's first game of the spring, he'll actually be playing…