He figures there’s little point for veterans to use it since the system won’t be in effect in the majors this season.

Francona sounds more interested in preparing the Reds for the season — his first as their manager — than helping add more data in an ABS test run.

Several of the Reds minor leaguers have prior experience with the ABS challenge system, which, along with full ABS (all balls and strikes automated) was tested at the Double and Triple-A levels in '23 and '24. By the end of '24, full ABS was dropped in favor of the happy middle ground, the ABS challenge system.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona might be Pete Rose's strongest supporter in the game, in part because of a personal moment in 1984.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Terry Francona, the winningest manager in Cleveland history, will not be in the dugout when his new team, the Cincinnati Reds, opens the Cactus League season against the Guardians on Saturday at Goodyear Ballpark.

Reds manager Terry Francona plans to opt out of elective participation in the automated ball-strike challenge trial during spring training but is willing to let Cincinnati's minor league players accustomed to the procedure use challenges.

Reds manager Terry Francona plans to opt out of elective participation in the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge trial during spring training, but is willing to let Cincinnati's minor-league players accu