Cincinnati Reds News

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Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan to Throw Sim Game on Saturday

Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) received clearance to face hitters on June 13 after his MRI exam looked good, and he threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Pagan will pitch in a simulated game/live bullpen session on Saturday, June 19, at Yankee Stadium, according to MLB.com. The veteran hurler has been on the 15-day injured list since May 6 due to a Grade 2 strained left hamstring, but barring a setback as he continues to build up, he could rejoin the back end of the Reds' bullpen before the calendar flips to July. If the 35-year-old looks good this weekend during his sim game, he could be cleared to go on a short minor-league rehab assignment. Although Pagan wasn't looking all that great in 2026 before his hamstring injury -- he had a 6.43 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, six saves, and 11 strikeouts in 14 innings -- he will most likely be put right back into the closer's role in Cincy by manager Terry Francona. The Reds' bullpen has been one of the worst units in baseball since Pagan went down with his injury in early May. The 10-year veteran (71 career saves) is currently rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues, so fantasy managers who need saves should consider picking him up now.

Yesterday

Spencer Steer • LF • Reds

Spencer Steer's Stability Makes Him a Priority Waiver-Wire Target

Across 275 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds outfielder/first baseman Spencer Steer is hitting .249/.335/.436 with 11 home runs, 28 RBI, 42 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 28-year-old may no longer carry the same speed upside he did earlier in his career when he stole 25 bases in 2024. Still, Steer profiles as a balanced contributor with multi-positional eligibility. He owns a 13% barrel rate on the season and seems like a solid bet to top 20 home runs for the fourth consecutive campaign in 2026. Steer also owns a 10.5% walk rate with a manageable 21.1% strikeout rate, which keeps his production floor at the plate stable. In any fantasy league where he's not already rostered, Steer profiles as a must-add hitter to target on the waiver wire.

Yesterday

Héctor Rodríguez • LF • Reds

With Recent Home Run Binge, is Hector Rodriguez a Worthy Stash for Power?

Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has been on a power surge at Triple-A Louisville, belting five home runs in his last seven games. The Reds' fifth-ranked prospect now has 15 home runs on the season, along with 12 doubles and four triples, giving him a robust .526 slugging percentage for the year to go along with a .287 batting average and .360 on-base percentage. The left-handed hitter owns a 9.4 percent barrel rate with a max exit velocity this season of 113.0 mph (93rd percentile), so there is clearly plenty of pop in his bat, and it comes with a decent amount of speed, too, having recorded at least 12 steals each of the past four seasons in the minors. The 22-year-old could earn a major league debut after the All-Star break, and is a name to monitor as a potential power bat to stash in deep leagues with the ability to impact other categories as well.

Yesterday

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz on Track to Start a Rehab Assignment on Friday

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is scheduled to run on Tuesday and Wednesday and would start a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Louisville if he gets through his running program this week, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. De La Cruz would play five innings on Friday, serve as the designated hitter on Saturday, and then return to shortstop on Sunday. Manager Terry Francona said next Tuesday would be the earliest that De La Cruz would be activated from the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old switch-hitting Dominican superstar is nearing his return to the major-league roster as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks this weekend when he returns to game action. Once De La Cruz is back with the Reds, Matt McLain will slide back over to second base, which could push infield prospect Edwin Arroyo back to the minors. De La Cruz is a must-start in all traditional leagues when he's active. He'll be returning to a .280/.346/.509 with a career-best .855 OPS, 12 homers, 37 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 58 games played.

2 days ago

Edwin Arroyo • 2B • Reds

Edwin Arroyo Offers Deep-League Power-Speed Upside

Cincinnati Reds infield prospect Edwin Arroyo has not made a loud fantasy impact yet, but his prospect pedigree and recent Triple-A production still make him worth a look in deeper formats. The 22-year-old is hitting .219 with two RBI, two runs, no homers, no steals, and a .497 OPS through 32 major-league at-bats. That line does not stand out, but Arroyo earned the promotion after batting .323 with 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 41 runs, and nine stolen bases over 53 games at Triple-A Louisville. Arroyo was called up after Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) landed on the injured list, giving him a clearer path to short-term playing time in Cincinnati's infield. The early MLB results lower his upside in smaller leagues, but the switch-hitting prospect has already shown power and speed in the upper minors that make him worthy of a closer look in deeper formats. Available in 96% of Yahoo leagues, Arroyo is a deeper redraft target for fantasy managers willing to speculate on his five-category potential, while De La Cruz remains on the shelf.

2 days ago

Matt McLain • 2B • Reds

Matt McLain Emerging as a High-End Power/Speed Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 268 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is hitting .208/.315/.364 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. While the 26-year-old's season-long numbers don't leap off the page, he's begun to heat up in June. Across 46 plate appearances this month, McLain is hitting .270/.413/.595 with three home runs, five RBI, nine runs scored, and four stolen bases. With his 10.1% barrel rate and his homer-friendly home park in Cincinnati, McLain has significant power upside. He's also raised his walk rate to 12.3% while lowering his strikeout rate 23.9% so far this season, which should maximize his opportunities to get on base and use his speed. McLain's 20.4-degree launch angle limits his batting average upside, but he profiles as a potentially high-end power/speed threat for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

2 days ago

Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Eugenio Suarez Homers Twice, Drives in Six on Monday Against Mets

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez could be turning a corner after going 2-for-4 with two home runs, a season-high six RBI, and two strikeouts in the 12-0 blowout victory over the visiting New York Mets at Great American Ballpark on Monday night. The 34-year-old Venezuelan right-handed power hitter has struggled in 2026, slashing .222/.287/.395 with a .682 OPS, seven home runs, 25 RBI, 16 runs scored, and a career-high 31.5% strikeout rate in his 178 plate appearances in his return to Cincinnati. Suarez has always been a high-strikeout hitter with lots of swing and miss in his game, but he's also in just the ninth percentile in hard-hit rate in 2026, so when he is making contact, he's not hitting the ball as hard as he typically does. The two-time All-Star had a two-run homer and a grand slam on Monday against New York for his first multi-homer game of the year. In his last six games, Suarez has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with three homers, two doubles, nine RBI, three runs, no walks, and eight strikeouts. The strikeouts aren't going to go away, but he could be in the midst of a nice hot streak.

2 days ago

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz Could Start Rehab Assignment This Week

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will run the bases on Monday and Tuesday, and if all goes well, he will start a minor-league rehab assignment later this week, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. De La Cruz is recovering from a strained hamstring, but if he avoids a setback this week and once he starts a rehab assignment, he could be back in Cincy's starting lineup early next week. Until then, middle infielder Matt McLain will continue to hold down the fort at the 6 for the Reds, with Edwin Arroyo and Spencer Steer splitting time at the keystone. While he rehabs, the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter should be stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy formats as one of the most dynamic all-around players in the game when he's healthy. Before going on the 10-day IL, De La Cruz was hitting .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 58 games and 257 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star has one of the highest ceilings in baseball with 30-homer potential. He stole a league-leading 67 bases in 2024 in his first full season in the big leagues.

3 days ago

Noelvi Marte • RF • Reds

Noelvi Marte Homers Again on Sunday, Worth a Look on the Waiver Wire

Cincinnati Reds third baseman/outfielder Noelvi Marte was sent to the minors early on in 2026, he's played in just 20 games this year, and his surface stats definitely don't raise any eyebrows with a .218/.271/.400 slash line, .671 OPS, three home runs, three RBI, four stolen bases, and seven runs scored in 59 plate appearances. But since rejoining the major-league squad on June 3, the 24-year-old Dominican has gone 8-for-26 (.308) with all three of his home runs, a double, three RBI, three steals, and five runs scored in nine games played. All three of his homers on the year have come in the last three games, and he has seen more playing time in the outfield in Cincy this time around. In a career-high 90 games with the Reds in 2025, Marte hit .263 (89-for-339) with 14 home runs, 51 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 360 plate appearances. With improved plate discipline since his return to the Reds, Marte is putting up better numbers. With both third base and outfield eligibility, fantasy managers need to consider adding Marte off the waiver wire. He's rostered in only 40% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan to Throw Another Bullpen on Monday

Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring), who has been on the 15-day injured list since May 6 with a strained left hamstring, threw a bullpen session on Saturday and is expected to throw another on Monday, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. He could face live hitters as soon as Friday in New York. If the 35-year-old veteran makes it through his bullpen on Monday and a live bullpen session on Friday without any setbacks with his hamstring, he should be cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment. It all means that Pagan could be back with the Reds' major-league roster by late next week or the weekend. Before injuring his hamstring at Wrigley Field in early May, Pagan had six saves in 15 appearances out of the bullpen, but he was also sporting an ugly 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 14 innings pitched. However, the Reds' bullpen has been extremely unreliable in his absence, so manager Terry Francona is expected to immediately reinsert Pagan into the closer's role when he returns. Fantasy managers desperate for saves should take notice and stash Pagan now. He's rostered in only 62% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

3 days ago

Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan to Throw Live Bullpen Session on Friday

Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) has been cleared to throw a live bullpen session on Friday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. After already throwing a couple of normal bullpen sessions, Pagan has been cleared to face live hitters for the first time after a recent MRI exam showed that his Grade 2 left-hamstring strain is healing nicely. If the 35-year-old continues to avoid setbacks late next week, he'll likely be cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment. Pagan has been sidelined since May 6 with his hamstring injury, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he's required to make several appearances on the farm. In his absence, the Reds' bullpen has been one of the worst in baseball this season. Tony Santillan is the best bet for save chances until Pagan returns, but once he's reinstated from the 15-day injured list, manager Terry Francona should go right back to Pagan as the preferred closing option in the ninth inning. The 10-year veteran has 71 career saves and locked down six games before his injury, but he also allowed 10 earned runs with six walks and 11 K's in 14 relief innings. Pagan is currently rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene to Start a Rehab Assignment on Thursday

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Thursday, June 18, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Greene has yet to pitch for the Reds in 2026 after having surgery on March 11 to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Because of his lengthy absence, the hard-throwing 26-year-old will need at least a handful of minor-league rehab starts. However, manager Terry Francona said it's possible that the former second overall pick in 2017 could rejoin Cincy's starting rotation before the All-Star break in mid-July. Greene is currently on the 60-day injured list, but with his season debut getting closer, fantasy managers should already be looking to pick him up off the waiver wire if he's available in your league. When healthy, Greene has clear ace potential, having posted an ERA under 3.00 in each of his last two seasons and with a career 30% strikeout rate. He's currently rostered in only 65% of Yahoo leagues, so scoop him up immediately if you can.

4 days ago

Tony Santillan • RP • Reds

Tony Santillan Bounces Back for Third Save, Still the Closer to Roster in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tony Santillan picked up his third save of the season on Saturday against the Diamondbacks, working a perfect ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. He retired the side in order on three groundouts, throwing 10 of 14 pitches for strikes while navigating the heart of Arizona's lineup. It was Santillan's first save since May 19, and he remains the only pitcher on the Reds aside from the injured Emilio Pagan (hamstring) with multiple saves this season. With Pagan still sidelined, he figures to retake the closer role when he's ready to return. Still, until then, Santillan has been the most reliable option in high-leverage situations. The 29-year-old is probably the most likely Reds pitcher to get any save chances that come up in the near term. Santillan is currently rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues, making him worth a look for managers chasing saves while Pagan remains out.

4 days ago

Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan to Have Another MRI Exam on Saturday

Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) threw 20 pitches in his first bullpen session on June 8 and was scheduled to throw another bullpen on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. Pagan is scheduled to undergo another MRI exam on Saturday to give the team an idea of how he's healing from a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list on May 6. There's a chance that Pagan will return to Cincy's bullpen before the end of June, but it will all depend on how quickly he resumes facing live hitters. The 35-year-old veteran had six saves in his first 15 appearances earlier this year before injuring his hamstring, but it came with a career-worst 6.43 ERA (5.82 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP in 14 innings. The Reds' bullpen has been among the league's worst since Pagan landed on the IL, though, so even though he wasn't pitching all that well before his injury, he's expected to immediately return to the ninth-inning role whenever he's reinstated. It's why Pagan is still rostered in over 60% of Yahoo leagues while he's on the shelf.

5 days ago

Héctor Rodríguez • LF • Reds

Hector Rodriguez a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire?

Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez is still in Triple-A, but he has emerged as an intriguing fantasy baseball stash as he gets closer to making his MLB debut. This year, Rodriguez is slashing .291/.365/.525 with 14 homers, four steals, a 10.1% walk rate, a 17.9% strikeout rate, and 128 wRC+. He has shown improved power this year, while also increasing his walk rate. The underlying metrics point to Rodriguez making an impact at the next level, too. In the minors this season, he has posted a 106.5 mph EV90 (88th percentile) with an 8.7% barrel rate, a 23% pull-air rate, and a 44% hard-hit rate. He's chasing more than we'd like, but he has kept swings and misses to a minimum with his 22.5% whiff rate and 86.2% zone contact rate. With 117 Triple-A games under his belt over the last two years, Rodriguez appears more than ready to make the leap to the major leagues.

5 days ago

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz 90 Percent Healed From Hamstring Injury

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is 90% healed from his hamstring injury, manager Terry Francona told Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. Francona plans to meet with everyone on Sunday to make a decision on how to proceed. The Reds have yet to decide if De La Cruz will need a minor-league rehab start before being reinstated from the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old Dominican could be back with the Reds' major-league roster early next week if the coaching staff doesn't feel like he needs to go on a rehab assignment. Before injuring his hamstring, the two-time All-Star was slashing .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 232 at-bats in 2026. With De La Cruz sidelined for all of June to this point, the Reds have moved second baseman Matt McLain over to the 6. There is no way that De La Cruz, a switch-hitting, five-contributor, should be available on the waiver wire in any leagues.

6 days ago

JJ Bleday • LF • Reds

JJ Bleday a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Breakout Season

Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday has emerged as a key piece of his team's lineup in 2026, hitting .270/.363/.568 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 171 plate appearances. The lefty-swinger has absolutely mashed right-handed pitching this season, logging a 1.019 OPS in 124 plate appearances against righties. He's been less effective against southpaws, but his .703 OPS against left-handers has been good enough for him to move from a platoon to an everyday role in recent weeks. Bleday's 12.8% barrel rate and 47% hard-hit rate are both the best marks of his career, and he has the additional benefit of playing his home games in Cincinnati's hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Bleday profiles as a must-add outfielder across all fantasy formats ahead of a potential breakout season.

6 days ago

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene a Prime Stash Candidate Ahead of Injury Return

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) has been out all season after having surgery in mid-March to remove bone chips from his right elbow. However, manager Terry Francona said last weekend that Greene could return from the 60-day injured list before the mid-July All-Star break. The 26-year-old was cleared to throw bullpen sessions in late May, and he could soon be cleared to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment. Although Greene's 2026 season debut isn't exactly imminent, the former second overall pick in 2017 should be picked up off the waiver wire and stashed now. When healthy, the flamethrowing right-hander can act as a fantasy ace, and he's currently rostered in only 65% of Yahoo leagues. Greene was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and has a 3.65 ERA (3.83 FIP), 1.14 WHIP, 30% strikeout rate, and 8.7% walk rate in his four seasons in the majors with the Reds. Injuries have been an issue for Greene in his career, but you can't ignore the fact that he could be a fantasy difference-maker in the second half of 2026.

6 days ago

Tony Santillan • RP • Reds

Is Tony Santillan Still the Top Source for Saves in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tony Santillan has put together arguably his worst MLB season so far in 2026, recording a 5.88 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 25 strikeouts across 26 innings. However, with Reds closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain, Santillan has two saves on the year and may be Cincinnati's preferred option in the ninth inning. There are major red flags in Santillan's profile that fantasy managers should be aware of before buying in. The 29-year-old's average fastball velocity is down from 96.2 miles per hour in 2025 to 94.6 mph in 2026, and his K-BB rate has dipped from 15.3% to 10.3%. He's also allowed nine home runs (3.12 HR/9) on the year and pitches in one of the most homer-friendly home parks in all of baseball in Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. Fantasy managers in desperate need of saves may still have use for Santillan, but his profile is riddled with risk.

7 days ago

Nathaniel Lowe • 1B • Reds

Nathaniel Lowe Emerging as a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire

After opening 2026 in a bench role, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Nathaniel Lowe has emerged as a near-everyday player and a key piece of his team's lineup. Across 166 plate appearances on the year, Lowe is hitting .252/.337/.497 with nine home runs, 25 RBI, and 16 runs scored. The 30-year-old's .497 slugging percentage is the best mark of his career and a marked improvement from the .381 SLG he posted across 609 plate appearances in 2025. Lowe's power surge is backed up by his 13% barrel rate, his highest since 2020. He's also made a concerted effort to get the ball in the air, as his 14.1-degree average launch angle is by far the steepest of his career. Between the changes he's made at the plate, his playing time situation, and his hitter-friendly home park in Cincinnati, Lowe is emerging as a power bat to target on the waiver wire.

7 days ago

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