Reds FeedEmilio Pagán
P · Age 35 · Bats Left · Throws Right
Where things stand
Emilio Pagán is currently sidelined with hand soreness and will undergo examination Friday after appearing in just one game over the past eight days. The Reds closer has been one of baseball's best relievers since returning from a hamstring injury in late June, posting a 1.46 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 13 appearances, a dramatic turnaround from his early-season struggles. Pagán holds a player option for 2027 and his recent strong performance could prompt him to pursue free agency rather than accept the Reds' $10 million offer to remain with the team.
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2026 season
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Emilio Pagán coverage
Pagán back to old dominant self after 2-month hamstring injury
MLB.com RedsReds News: Chase Burns' innings limit, Emilio Pagán's absence, Brandon Williamson rehab
Manager Terry Francona has no plans to shut down All-Star pitcher Chase Burns despite him reaching a career-high 124 innings pitched, saying the team will continue trying to win games while Burns remains healthy. Closer Emilio Pagán is dealing with hand soreness and will be examined Friday after appearing in only one game over the past eight days. Left-hander Brandon Williamson is progressing through his rehabilitation assignment and will make another appearance on August 16, though he has yet to pitch more than two innings in any rehab outing since going on the injured list in April.
Blog Red MachineReds might have an Emilio Pagán problem if he keeps pitching like this
Reds closer Emilio Pagán struggled early in 2026 with a 6.43 ERA and three blown saves in nine opportunities before suffering a hamstring injury in May. After returning from the injured list in late June, Pagán has been one of baseball's best relievers, posting a 1.46 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 13 appearances. Pagán holds a player option for 2027 and his strong recent performance could lead him to test free agency for a more lucrative deal rather than accept the $10 million the Reds would owe him to stay.
Blog Red MachineReds can't afford to lose this bullpen weapon nobody saw coming
Brock Burke arrived in Cincinnati as an afterthought in a three-team trade but has emerged as the Reds' most reliable relief pitcher, posting a 2.73 ERA over 56 innings with a .032 batting average against in high-leverage situations. The hard-throwing left-hander, who previously struggled as a starter and with the Rangers before finding success with the Angels, has become manager Terry Francona's go-to option out of the bullpen. With the Reds' relief corps ranking 25th in ERA at 4.42, retaining Burke alongside Tejay Antone and Emilio Pagan would form a strong foundation for the team's bullpen heading into 2027.
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