Breaking News: Due to an injury, the Cincinnati Reds’ offseason signing will miss Spring Training.
Emilio Pagan, a reliever for the Cincinnati Reds, will face a delay in participating in Cactus League play as he recuperates from offseason sports hernia surgery.
According to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Inquirer on social media, Pagan is currently undergoing bullpen sessions but won’t be prepared for the commencement of the Cactus League schedule. However, Graham Ashcraft, recovering from a toe injury,
is set for spring training games, while Nick Lodolo, dealing with a tibia issue, recently completed a bullpen session, shaping his next steps under David Bell’s guidance.
Pagan recently inked a two-year contract with the Reds following Thanksgiving, signaling his anticipated significant role in David Bell’s bullpen. Alongside Pagan, the Reds have bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez this offseason, aiming to enhance both performance and durability.
A 32-year-old right-handed pitcher, Pagan enjoyed a productive season with the Minnesota Twins in 2023, appearing in 66 games and tallying a 5-2 record with a 2.99 ERA. He recorded 65 strikeouts across 69.1 innings pitched.
Having contributed to the Minnesota Twins’ success in clinching the American League Central and advancing to the American League Division Series, the Reds are hopeful that Pagan will replicate his achievements in Cincinnati.
The team has not reached the playoffs since the COVID-shortened 2020 season and concluded the previous season with an 82-80 record, securing third place in the National League Central division.
Pagan boasts a seven-year tenure in the majors, having previously played for the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, and Twins. His debut with the Mariners dates back to 2017,
and he holds a career record of 22-18 with a 3.71 ERA, accompanied by 456 strikeouts over 400 innings pitched. Notably, Pagan garnered 20 saves for the Rays during the 2019 season, suggesting his potential to fulfill high-leverage roles within the Reds’ bullpen.
