If you are frantically Googling to see what's the score of the Cincinnati Reds game right now, I have some news that might be a little bit of a letdown. You can put the remote down. It is January 16, 2026, and the Reds aren’t actually on the field today.
Basically, we are in the heart of the "Hot Stove" season. No box scores. No home runs at Great American Ball Park. Just a whole lot of rumors, contract negotiations, and fans wondering if the front office is going to finally land that big bat we’ve been hearing about since November.
But honestly, even though there isn't a live score to report, today is actually a massive day for the organization. While the grass is dormant in Cincinnati, the activity inside the front office is anything but quiet.
Redsfest is officially here (and why that matters)
If you're in downtown Cincinnati right now, the energy is probably better than a mid-week game in July. Today, Friday, January 16, marks the start of Redsfest 2026.
It is the first year the event is being held at the newly renovated Duke Energy Convention Center, and it's basically the Christmas morning of baseball for this city. Instead of looking for a score, fans are looking for autographs from guys like Hunter Greene and Elly De La Cruz.
It’s a two-day gauntlet of fans, former legends, and current players trying to convince everyone that 2026 is the year they finally make a deep October run. If you've never been, it’s sorta chaotic but in the best way possible.
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The big news: Pierce Johnson is officially a Red
While there isn't a game score, there is a "win" on the transaction wire. The Reds just finalized a one-year, $6.5 million deal with veteran right-hander Pierce Johnson.
This is a big deal for a few reasons. First off, Johnson was solid for Atlanta last year, posting a 3.05 ERA. More importantly, he’s best friends with Emilio Pagan. Apparently, Pagan spent half the winter playing the role of recruiter, telling Johnson he had to come to Cincinnati.
"When you have your best friend selling you on something, it's easy to buy in," Johnson told reporters yesterday.
The bullpen took some hits earlier this offseason with Scott Barlow and Nick Martinez moving on, so grabbing a veteran arm like Johnson helps stabilize things before pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear.
What happened with the arbitration deals?
If you were looking for what's the score of the Cincinnati Reds because you thought there might be some preseason action, you're probably thinking of the flurry of "scores" coming out of the accounting department.
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The Reds just cleared the deck on most of their arbitration cases. Brady Singer landed the biggest payday at $12.75 million, which makes sense given his workhorse status. Nick Lodolo also got a nice bump to $4.725 million.
Recent 2026 Contract Agreements:
- Brady Singer: $12,750,000
- Gavin Lux: $5,525,000
- Nick Lodolo: $4,725,000
- Spencer Steer: $4,000,000
- Matt McLain: Undisclosed (but settled to avoid arbitration)
It’s always a relief when these don't go to a hearing. Nobody wants to sit in a room and hear their employer explain why they aren't worth the money they’re asking for. It’s awkward for everyone.
The international signing period just opened
Yesterday was also the first day of the 2026 international signing period. The Reds didn't waste any time. They signed a massive wave of prospects, headlined by Dominican outfielder Angel Nunez.
MLB Pipeline has Nunez as the #6 prospect in this entire signing class. He’s got that rare power-speed combo that scouts drool over. It’ll be years before we see him in a Reds uniform at the Big A, but these are the "scores" that determine how the team looks in 2030.
Looking ahead: When do they actually play?
If you're strictly here for the baseball, mark your calendar for March 26, 2026. That is Opening Day. The Reds will be hosting the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park.
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It’s going to be a 4:10 PM ET start.
Until then, the "score" is really just about how many free agents Nick Krall can lure to the Queen City. The projections from places like FanGraphs are currently a bit "meh" on the Reds' offense, so there’s still a feeling that one more big trade or signing is coming.
How to stay updated on the Reds
- Check the transaction wire: MLB.com's Reds page is the best place to see these minor league signings that keep happening.
- Follow Redleg Nation: They do a great job of breaking down the actual stats and projections for the upcoming season.
- Get tickets for Spring Training: If you can't wait until March, games start in Arizona in late February.
Right now, the Reds are 0-0, just like everyone else. But with Terry Francona entering his second year as manager and the young core getting another year of experience, the vibe is definitely optimistic.
If you are at Redsfest today or tomorrow, enjoy the atmosphere. It's the closest thing to a "score" we’re getting until the desert sun starts beating down on the practice fields in Arizona.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're looking for the latest player updates, head over to the Reds' official transaction page to see the full list of the 15+ international prospects signed in the last 24 hours. If you're planning on attending Opening Day against the Red Sox, tickets are already on sale, but expect to pay a premium as the city shuts down for the unofficial holiday.