Wait. If you’re checking your phone or refreshing your feed because you think you’re missing first pitch at Great American Ball Park, I have some news that might be a little jarring. There is no Reds game today. Honestly, it’s January 15, 2026. Unless the guys are playing a very intense game of pickleball or doing some indoor drills, nobody is taking the field for a regular season matchup. The "delay" you're likely seeing in your search results or news alerts actually stems from a massive influx of team activity today that has nothing to do with rain or extra innings. It's the International Signing Period, and the Reds front office is moving at light speed.
The reason people are asking why is the Reds game delayed today is usually due to a mix-up with offseason schedules or "live" updates regarding roster moves that can trigger notification glitches. Today is one of the busiest days on the MLB calendar, just not for actual baseball.
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The January 15 "Delay" Explained
Basically, the baseball world is in the middle of a scouting frenzy. Today marks the start of the 2026 international signing period. Instead of watching Elly De La Cruz steal third, fans are refreshing their screens to see which 16-year-old phenoms Nick Krall and the scouting staff just locked down.
The Reds have been incredibly active. They've already committed over $5.7 million of their $7.3 million bonus pool. The big headliner? Angel Nunez, an outfielder from the Dominican Republic who just signed for a reported **$3 million**. When this much money and this many transactions hit the wire at once, sports apps sometimes get "stuck" or display placeholder data that looks like a game status update.
There's also the matter of the bullpen. Just hours ago, the Reds finalized a one-year, $6.5 million deal with veteran pitcher Pierce Johnson. This move is a direct response to losing arms like Scott Barlow and Brent Suter. Johnson mentioned his buddy Emilio Pagan basically recruited him to Cincinnati. That’s the kind of "game" being played today—one of logistics, contracts, and future-building.
Why fans get confused about delays in January
- Transaction Volume: When a team signs 16 players in one morning (like the Reds did today), the "live" tickers on sports websites can go haywire.
- Redsfest Anticipation: Redsfest is literally tomorrow, January 16. People are checking dates and seeing "Reds" and "January 15" and their brains jump to game-day mode.
- The 2026 Schedule: MLB released the schedule months ago. Opening Day isn't until March 26, 2026, when the Reds host the Boston Red Sox.
What’s actually happening at Great American Ball Park?
It's cold. It's January in Ohio. If there was a game, it wouldn't be delayed; it would be a skating rink.
Right now, the team is preparing for Redsfest, which kicks off tomorrow at the Duke Energy Convention Center. This is the massive two-day fan event where you actually get to meet the players. If you were looking for "Reds action," that’s where it’s actually happening.
Furthermore, the front office is busy clearing space. To make room for Pierce Johnson on the 40-man roster, they had to designate Yosver Zulueta for assignment and then quickly traded him to Seattle for a minor leaguer named Dusty Revis. It's a game of musical chairs.
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Key signings announced today:
- Angel Nunez (OF): The crown jewel of the class. Rated #6 by MLB Pipeline.
- Carlos Hernandez (SS): A million-dollar signing from Venezuela.
- Diego Pacheco (C): A high-upside catcher who got $700,000.
- Pierce Johnson (RHP): The veteran presence the bullpen desperately needs after last year’s postseason run under Terry Francona.
Looking ahead to the real schedule
If you're itching for a real rain delay or a 4:10 PM start time, you have a few weeks to wait. Spring Training is right around the corner. The Reds actually have their first televised Spring Training game against the Cleveland Guardians on February 21.
The 2026 regular season is going to be a wild one. The Reds are coming off a year where they snagged a Wild Card spot in Tito's first season as manager. Expectations are sky-high. But today? Today is about the paperwork. It's about Angel Nunez putting on a Reds cap for the first time in a scouting office.
So, if your app says "Delayed," just know it's a ghost in the machine. Or maybe it's just the sheer volume of international prospects clogging up the data feed.
Next Steps for Reds Fans:
- Check your tickets: If you bought tickets for Redsfest (Jan 16-17), make sure you have the MLB Ballpark app updated.
- Mark March 26: That is your actual Opening Day at GABP against the Red Sox.
- Follow the Pool Money: The Reds still have about $1.5 million left in their international signing pool. Expect a few more "minor" signings to trick your phone notifications later this afternoon.
The "delay" is just the offseason doing what it does best: making us wait for spring.