Brandon Williamson will be the starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds when they open their spring training schedule Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians in Goodyear, Ariz.
Cincinnati is the home team for the game. The teams share the facility.
The Martin County West graduate appears to in competition with at least four other pitchers for what looks to be two open spots in the Reds’ five-man starting rotation.
The top three spots have already been decided. If Nick Lodolo, Hunter Greene, and Graham Ashcraft are healthy, they'll have spots in the rotation.
After that, Williamson is in contention for a spot on the major league roster after splitting 2022 between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louiville.
The left-hander pitched against the Guardians in a spring game last year, allowing three hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings while striking out two.
Getting the start Saturday for Cleveland will be Cal Quantrill.
Quantrill had a career season in 2022, going 15-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 32 starts. He pitched a career-high 186 1/3 innings and made two starts in the ALDS against the Yankees, taking the loss in each.
Quantrill is getting an early spring start for the Guardians to keep him in line to pitch for Canada in upcoming World Baseball Classic.