Terry Francona , the new Manager of the Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds’ promising young pitcher Julian Aguiar will have to take a step back from his budding career as he undergoes Tommy John surgery, a decision that leaves the team in a challenging position for the 2025 season. According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, the surgery will sideline Aguiar for the entirety of next season, a disappointing turn of events for a player who showed flashes of potential in his debut season.
Aguiar’s surgery comes on the heels of a concerning outing against the Atlanta Braves on September 19, where he was pulled after just four innings, having thrown only 75 pitches. While he wasn’t expected to crack the Reds’ starting rotation out of spring training, Aguiar was seen as a valuable depth piece who could provide support either as a starter or a reliever.
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During his brief time in the big leagues, Aguiar made seven starts and pitched a total of 31 2/3 innings. His final stats reflected some challenges, with a 6.25 ERA for the season. However, it’s important to note that prior to his last start, he had managed a more respectable 4.88 ERA. This improvement hinted at his ability to develop into a reliable option for the Reds.
The Reds have historically understood the value of depth in their pitching staff, and with both Aguiar and Brandon Williamson facing lengthy recoveries from Tommy John surgery, it’s clear they will need to bolster their roster this offseason. As they look to build on the progress made this year, addressing their pitching depth will be a crucial focus for Cincinnati’s front office.
For Aguiar, the road to recovery will be long, but his debut season offered enough promise that Reds fans can hope to see him back on the mound in 2026, contributing to a team that continues to strive for competitive success in the MLB.
