Spring is officially arrived and a new Cincinnati Reds is blossoming. The Reds, Cincinnati Bengals and FC Cincinnati face unique concerns as spring begins.

How healthy are the Cincinnati Reds heading into Opening Day?

The Reds will start their season next week. Cincinnati will host the Washington Nationals for Opening Day next Thursday. Cincinnati heads into this season with high hopes. After exceeding expectations by being contenders deep into September last year. As many of the franchises most anticipated prospects debuted and thrived.

This year, the health of the Reds is a major concern heading into this season. The Reds were running on a near empty tank last September. As injuries piled up throughout the second half of last season. Cincinnati’s pitching staff was hit particularly hard. Graham Ashcraft’s season was cut short by toe surgery. Hunter Greene was sidelined for much of last season due to an injury. The Reds utilized bullpen days to get by in September.

Cincinnati also had to find ways to fare without Jonathan India. Who missed part of the season with a foot injury. This and having India test being an outfielder will make India’s progression interesting to watch this year. Cincinnati also fared without Joey Votto for much of last season as he recovered from surgery. Helping make the Reds decision to part ways with Votto after the season more understandable.

Cincinnati is dealing with several injuries already going into this season. Pitcher Brandon Williamson will start the season on the injured list due to a sore left shoulder. Pitcher Nick Lodolo is set to miss the first two weeks of the season. He’s dealing with tibia discomfort and is expected to return on April 10th. Infielder Matt McLain is also dealing with left shoulder soreness that could require surgery.

McLain also spent part of spring training dealing with right oblique soreness. Outfielder TJ Friedl is dealing with a right wrist injury. The timeline for his return is unknown. Along with all of this, the Reds will also fare without Noelvi Marte for roughly half of the season. After Marte tested positive for a performance enhancing drug.

The state of the Cincinnati Bengals roster one week into free agency.

The Bengals have been busy with transactions a week into free agency. Parting with several star players, most notably trading running back Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans. Along with this, DJ Reader is now with the Detroit Lions. Jonah Williams is now with the Arizona Cardinals. Irv Smith Jr. is now with the Kansas City Chiefs and Chidobe Awuzie joined the Tennessee Titans.

The Bengals have managed to add several players to deal with these departures. Bringing on star running back Zack Moss from the Indianapolis Colts. A promising choice to fill the void left by Mixon rushing-wise. Cincinnati is also adding offensive tackle Trent Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki. On defense, the Bengals also added defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. Along with former Baltimore Ravens defensive star Geno Stone. Safety Vonn Bell is also returning to Cincinnati after one season with the Carolina Panthers.

Presuming Brown doesn’t have the injury issues Jonah Williams struggled with. Brown could give the Bengals offensive line a boost. Gesicki provides the Bengals with a promising option at tight end. While Rankins and Stone could help the Bengals defense. By reviving Cincinnati’s defense’s status as one of the NFL’s most formidable units.

Assessing FC Cincinnati’s opening month on and off of the pitch.

It’s been a mixed start to the season for FC Cincinnati. The orange and blue cruised past Jamaica’s Cavalier FC in their first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Later crashing out of the tournament with losses Liga MX’s Monterrey. Where they faced tenacious former FC Cincinnati player Brandon Vazquez. Meanwhile in MLS play, FC Cincinnati have had their scoring struggles.

FC Cincinnati has alternated between scoreless ties and 2-1 victories in MLS play so far. FCC began their MLS season with a scoreless tie hosting Toronto on February 25th. They beat Chicago Fire on the road 2-1 on March 2nd. Had a scoreless tie hosting D.C United on March 10th. Then beat the New England Revolution in New England 2-1 last Sunday. All while navigating through the CONCACAF Champions Cup and new roster additions. Including U.S. Men’s National Team player DeAndre Yedlin earlier this month.

Off of the pitch, FC Cincinnati is facing a press relations fiasco of their making. After temporarily suspending the credentials for Queen City Press reporter Laurel Pfahler. According to ESPN, it’s due to a dispute over her reporting on recent club transactions. A bizarre own goal from a club that has exerted a lot of effort in its nearly decade-long existence. To try and mostly succeed in building up a good relationship with the community, including the press.

Update: this post has been updated after initially misidentifying Laurel Pfahler as Lauren. My apology to Laurel for the error.