He is, too, and he's aware players want to be in the mix for it. When it comes to Rhett Lowder, Francona seems to be signaling that Opening Day is an artificial and unnecessary timeline to hold ...

Reds pitchers Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder are both competing for spots in the starting rotation, but both have had a slow start to spring due to nagging injuries. MLB.com's Mark Sheldon ...