Cincinnati Reds News

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Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan Dealing With Hand Soreness

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed closer Emilio Pagan (hand) was dealing with some hand soreness, which is why he wasn't available to pitch in the ninth inning in Thursday's win over the Chicago White Sox, according to Chatterbox Sports. Francona said that Pagan is going to be looked at on Friday morning, and if he checks out well, he should be available out of the bullpen for Friday's series opener at home against the Miami Marlins. With Pagan unavailable on Thursday, Julian Garcia recorded his second career save while allowing a run in the process. If Pagan's hand injury keeps him out longer, Garcia, Tejay Antone, and Pierce Johnson could all be options for saves for Francona. The 35-year-old Pagan missed a big chunk of the season in the first half due to a hamstring strain, and he has a less-than-ideal 4.10 ERA in 26 1/3 innings, but he's Cincy's primary closer when healthy and has 14 saves on the year. Francona has been pretty loyal to Pagan as his primary ninth-inning man.

4 days ago

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Undergoes Tommy John Surgery, Expected to Miss All of 2027

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of 2026 and the entire 2027 season, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Greene missed the start of the 2026 season after undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone chips and loose bodies in March. It was announced last week that the 27-year-old would require a second elbow surgery, which it now appears was indeed the second Tommy John procedure of his career. It's a devastating blow for the Reds, as Greene has shown elite upside when healthy. Across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts) in 2025, Greene recorded a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts. Given his extremely uncertain health outlook going forward, Greene's future fantasy value is difficult to project until he gets back onto a mound.

5 days ago

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene To Undergo Right-Elbow Surgery

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (right elbow) will undergo surgery after seeking a second opinion, according to Pat Brennan. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said the procedure will involve the area around the ligament, though doctors will not know exactly what needs to be repaired until the operation begins. Greene already underwent surgery in March to remove bone chips and loose bodies from the same elbow before returning July 4. He made only five starts, going 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA, nine walks, and 33 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings before returning to the injured list Aug. 5. Fantasy managers can move on in redraft leagues. His outlook for 2027 will depend heavily on what surgeons find and the type of procedure ultimately performed.

Aug 7

JJ Bleday • LF • Reds

JJ Bleday a Fine Source of Power Off the Waiver Wire

Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday may only be hitting .230 (70-for-304) on the year in 86 games and 361 plate appearances, but he reached the 20-homer mark for the second time in the last three seasons in Thursday's 6-5 win over the Athletics and is worth waiver-wire consideration down the stretch in fantasy baseball leagues if you need power. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has had a resurgence in 2026 in his first season in Cincinnati, and he has also dropped his strikeout rate from 26.5% last year to 21.3% this year while posting a career-best 14.4% walk rate. The former fourth overall pick by the Miami Marlins in 2019 from Vanderbilt University has hit under .200 with just five of his 20 homers on the year, and although he hit just over the Mendoza Line in 25 games in July, he did manage to hit six home runs in the month. Bleday definitely has his flaws, but fantasy managers shouldn't ignore his power from the left side. He's currently rostered in only 26% of Yahoo leagues.

Aug 7

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo to Return on Tuesday

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (finger) is scheduled to make his return to the mound versus the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona. Lodolo has been on the 15-day Injured List since mid-July due to a recurring blister issue. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out four batters across 4.1 innings of work during his lone rehab start. It appears the Reds have seen enough to reinstate Lodolo after one rehab outing. He has registered a 4.60 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and a 50/27 K/BB ratio across 12 starts this season. He could be someone worth scooping up off the waiver wire if fantasy managers need another arm.

Aug 6

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

"Slim Chance" That Hunter Greene Pitches Again This Year

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that the team is holding out hope, but there's "probably a slim chance" that right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) will pitch again this season, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. The Reds will have more information on Thursday night after Greene receives a second opinion on his right elbow. Cincy placed the hard-throwing right-hander on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after he felt discomfort in his elbow during a bullpen session on Tuesday. Greene already got a late start in 2026 while recovering from right-elbow surgery, so this obviously is not a good sign for the former second overall pick. The former All-Star has ace potential, but injuries have hampered him the last two years, and he's likely to end the 2026 campaign with a 2-2 record, 6.83 ERA (3.56 FIP), 1.37 WHIP, and 33:9 K:BB in just 27 2/3 innings pitched across five starts. Another elbow surgery could cause him to miss the entire 2027 campaign, which would be a worst-case scenario for Greene and the Reds. In single-year fantasy baseball leagues, it's probably safe to dump Greene at this point.

Aug 6

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo Gives Up Three Runs in Rehab Outing on Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) tested out his injured finger in a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday and allowed three earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to Triple-A St. Paul. Manager Terry Francona said that Lodolo looked "OK" while hitting 94 to 95 mph with his fastball and throwing 37 of his 65 pitches for strikes during the outing. The 28-year-old southpaw threw seven of his 15 curveballs for strikes, the pitch that had initially led to his recurring blister problem. The main takeaway is that Lodolo didn't have any issues with his finger, and the Reds could be satisfied enough to have him make his next start back in the big leagues. The former first-rounder from Texas Christian University will be pretty risky for fantasy managers whenever he makes his first start back with the Reds. Lodolo has teased strikeout upside since entering the league in 2022, but he has a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate and a career-high 9.7% walk rate in his 12 starts in 2026.

Aug 6

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Goes on Injured List With Elbow Soreness

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Wednesday that they placed right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 2) with soreness in his right elbow and recalled right-hander Luis Mey from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, Greene will visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday after feeling discomfort in his elbow during a side session on Tuesday. The hard-throwing right-hander underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday morning. The 26-year-old former second overall pick in 2017 has only made five starts for the Reds in 2026 after already recovering from a procedure on his right elbow. Greene has been up and down in his 27 2/3 innings so far this year, recording a 6.83 ERA (3.57 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and only nine walks. A visit to ElAttrache is not what fantasy managers want to hear, as it could result in another surgery for Greene. For now, he should remain stashed in leagues where he's rostered.

Aug 5

Héctor Rodríguez • RF • Reds

Reds Promote Top Outfield Prospect Hector Rodriguez After Stellar Triple-A Showing

Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall said the team is planning to promote outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez to the big leagues on Tuesday, according to Francys Romero of Beisbol FR. Rodriguez has put together a dominant season at Triple-A Louisville so far in 2026, hitting .274/.347/.533 with 27 home runs, 69 RBI, 72 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 455 plate appearances. The 22-year-old is considered one of the top prospects in the Reds system and has the potential to be a five-category fantasy contributor. He could also be in line for an everyday role in Cincinnati with Reds first baseman/outfielder Spencer Steer (wrist) currently on the injured list due to a wrist injury. In any league where he remains available, Rodriguez profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target.

Aug 3

Héctor Rodríguez • RF • Reds

Hector Rodriguez Developing into Power Source at Triple-A

Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez is coming off a four-hit performance at Triple-A Louisville, complete with a home run and three RBI. It was the latest power surge in a season-long display of power hitting for the outfielder. Rodriguez has turned in a season of 27 homers and 69 RBI with 72 runs scored in 405 at-bats with Louisville to go with a .274 batting average. At 22 years old, Rodriguez is the No. 3 prospect in the Reds' organization. Rodriguez has a 55-grade hit tool with a 55-grade run tool. He has become a consistent power source in Louisville, although he only has 45-grade power. The Reds could use a bat like his in the big league lineup, so it might be worth stashing Rodriguez and waiting for a call-up. If given an opportunity in Cincinnati, he could easily produce fantasy-relevant numbers.

Aug 3

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo to Make a Rehab Start on Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) is scheduled to throw 60 to 65 pitches in a minor-league rehab game on Wednesday with Triple-A Louisville, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. The Reds cleared Lodolo to make a rehab start next week after he threw a successful 50-pitch live batting practice session on Friday. The 28-year-old southpaw has not made a start for the Reds since July 11 due to a recurring blister issue on his left index finger, but he's nearing a return to Cincy's starting rotation and could be back as early as Aug. 11 against the Chicago White Sox. Lodolo has adopted a new grip for his breaking pitches, which will hopefully allow him to avoid any blister-related problems for the rest of the 2026 season. The oft-injured former seventh overall pick from Texas Christian University in 2019 has only made 12 starts this year and has gone 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (5.09 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks in 62 2/3 innings pitched. Once a promising strikeout arm, Lodolo has a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate in 2026, but he's still rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues and could be a valuable matchup-based streamer the rest of the way if he's fully healthy.

Aug 2

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Red Sox's Trade Discussions for Elly De La Cruz Have Stalled Out

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is reportedly on the trade block ahead of Monday's trade deadline. The Boston Red Sox attempted to make a deal for De La Cruz, but the two sides couldn't agree on a deal. According to Sean McAdam, the Reds wanted young major leaguers in exchange for De La Cruz. The Red Sox were unwilling to move their young MLB talent and would rather trade from within their farm system. It doesn't sound like a deal is going to happen between the two, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the Red Sox add another bat before the deadline is over.

Aug 1

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo Feels Good After Throwing 50 Pitches on Friday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) threw 50 pitches over three simulated innings of live batting practice against hitters on Friday, according to MLB.com. Lodolo felt good about using a new grip to throw his breaking pitches, and he could be cleared to go on a minor-league rehab assignment next. The 28-year-old southpaw has been on the 15-day injured list with a left index finger blister since July 12, but he's nearing a return to the Reds' starting rotation for the remainder of the second half of the season. Before going on the IL yet again, Lodolo had gone 3-2 for the Reds this year with a 4.60 ERA (5.09 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks in 62 2/3 innings across his 12 starts. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Christian University has never been able to stay healthy long enough to realize his potential in the big leagues, and he's posted a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate and career-high 9.7% walk rate in 2026. Lodolo could be a decent matchup-based streamer in fantasy leagues when he returns to Cincy's starting rotation, and he's currently rostered in only 63% of Yahoo leagues.

Aug 1

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo to Face Live Hitters on Friday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) will test out his new breaking-ball grip when he faces live hitters on Friday, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. It will be Lodolo's first time facing hitters since going on the 15-day injured list on July 12 with another blister on his finger. The 28-year-old southpaw teased high-end strikeout upside when he entered the league in 2022 as a former first-round pick out of TCU, but he has failed to live up to expectations and hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to make 30 starts in a single season. In just 12 starts (62 2/3 innings) this year, Lodolo has gone 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks. He's had a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate and career-high 9.7% walk rate, which is not what you want to see. Still, he's rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues with hopes that he can at least be a viable matchup-based streamer to close out the year. The Reds will likely have Lodolo make at least one minor-league rehab start if his simulated game goes off without a hitch on Friday.

Jul 30

JJ Bleday • LF • Reds

JJ Bleday Belongs on More 12-Team Rosters

Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday is batting .231/.339/.470 with 18 home runs, 45 RBI, 40 runs, and six stolen bases through 331 plate appearances. The average is still a weakness, but a .260 expected mark suggests he has deserved better. More importantly, Bleday's 10.8% barrel rate, 42.1% hard-hit rate, and .468 expected slugging percentage support the power that has kept him in the heart of Cincinnati's lineup. Bleday has started regularly in the corner outfield and offers enough walks and occasional speed to contribute beyond home runs. Yahoo managers have left him unclaimed in 74% of leagues, even though he ranks 49th in RotoBaller's Week 18 waiver rankings with an add recommendation for 12-team formats. He is not a batting-average asset, but managers seeking power and run production should not leave him available at that league depth.

Jul 30

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Drawing "Significant Interest" From Rival Teams

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene is drawing "significant interest" from rival teams, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal reports that Cincinnati isn't "particularly motivated" to move Greene, but that trading him might be the team's "best chance to make an impact" at the upcoming trade deadline. 2026 has been a bit of a lost year for Greene so far, as he did not make his season debut until early July after undergoing elbow surgery in March. The 26-year-old has struggled across 21 2/3 innings (four starts) since his return, recording a 2-2 record with a 7.06 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 29 strikeouts. Still, Greene carries high-end fantasy SP1 upside when healthy, as he posted a 2.76 ERA and a 25.2% K-BB rate across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts) in 2025. A trade to a contender may ultimately help Greene's fantasy value, as it would get him out of Cincinnati's hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

Jul 30

Héctor Rodríguez • RF • Reds

Hector Rodriguez Slugs Home Run No. 25 as MLB Debut Looms

Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez launched his 25th home run of the Triple-A season on Tuesday night. Facing Indianapolis, the slugger went 1-for-4 with a long ball. While the No. 5-ranked prospect in the system has had a relatively quiet July, going just 7-for-51 with two home runs and a low .460 OPS, prior to this short skid, the outfielder carried a .292/.372/.566 line with a .938 OPS over his first 85 games of the season. During this noted stretch, Rodriguez launched 23 home runs while adding 14 doubles and swiping six bags. While there is not a clear path to playing time, if Rodriguez can enjoy another power binge, he could push the team's hand. For now, he remains a solid stash target in deeper 12+ team leagues for those needing some late-season power.

Jul 29

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo Working on New Breaking-Ball Grip as he Rehabs a Blister

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) threw a bullpen session without discomfort on July 22 and another one on July 26, and he has been testing a new grip for his breaking ball and hasn't reported any issues, according to MLB.com. Lodolo landed on the 15-day injured list on July 12 with another blister on his left index finger. There is no specific timetable for his return to the Reds' starting rotation, but he appears to be making good progress. The next step is for Lodolo to face live batters before he's likely sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment. In a best-case scenario, Lodolo might not be back in the majors until mid-August. In his first 12 starts of the season, the former seventh overall pick in 2019 from Texas Christian University went 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (5.11 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks in 62 2/3 innings. Lodolo's strikeout upside has been intriguing since he entered the league in 2022, but he has a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate in 2026 and a career-high 9.7% walk rate, which is not what you'd want to see from an oft-injured arm.

Jul 28

Spencer Steer • 1B • Reds

Spencer Steer Removed Due to Hand Injury

Cincinnati Reds first baseman/outfielder Spencer Steer (hand) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Steer appeared to have tweaked his hand after he fouled off a pitch during the fifth inning. He was visited by the training staff and pulled from the contest mid-at-bat. Before leaving the game, Steer was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts at the plate. The expectation is that Steer will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. For now, fantasy managers should consider Steer as day-to-day. There should be another update on his status ahead of Monday's game against the Cleveland Guardians.

Jul 26

Héctor Rodríguez • RF • Reds

Hector Rodriguez Could be Impact Addition for the Reds

Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has surprised a bit with his consistent power in his age-22 season at Triple-A Louisville. Rodriguez has tallied 24 homers in 374 at-bats with 62 RBI, 68 runs scored, and a .275 batting average. Given 45-grade power by scouts, Rodriguez has surpassed expectations with his power this season. He is now the No. 3 prospect in the Reds' system. The Dominican Republic native could be a late-season addition to the Reds in the outfield. The left-handed-hitting bat could add some pop to the Cincinnati outfield, and with Blake Dunn currently on the injured list, there could be an opening for Rodriguez at the big-league level. Rodriguez should produce solid numbers if promoted and would be a good addition to fantasy teams over the second half of the season.

Jul 25

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