With Spring Training officially underway, Opening Day roster predictions are starting to roll in — and one Cincinnati Reds projection is already sparking debate.

Reds beat writer Mark Sheldon released his first Opening Day roster projection, and it includes one controversial decision involving Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder.

Sheldon projects Lowder winning the fifth starter spot, while Burns opens the season in the bullpen — a move that would place the Reds’ second overall draft pick into a swingman role similar to what Nick Martinez held in recent seasons.

In this video, we break down:

* Sheldon’s full Opening Day roster projection

* Why Burns in the bullpen is risky long-term

* How this situation compares to how the Reds once handled Aroldis Chapman

* Whether Cincinnati could be repeating history

* Why this decision matters far beyond Opening Day

Spring Training is just getting started, and rosters will change — but this projection gives us an early look at how the Reds might be thinking heading into 2026.

⬇️ Let me know in the comments: Should Burns be starting, or is the bullpen the right move?

Get full access to RedsDaily4 at redsdaily4.substack.com/subscribe