EMILIO PAGÁN NEWS

Exercises player option Pagan exercised his $8 million player option for 2025 on Saturday.

Impact Pagan was forced to sit out the first half of the season due to a lat injury, and he accumulated a 4.50 ERA across 38 innings upon returning in mid-August. Given his decline in performance, it was unlikely he'd receive an offer close to $8 million in free agency, so the 33-year-old righty will return to Cincinnati and likely fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Contract decision looming Pagan has an $8 million option this offseason that he's expected to exercise, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Pagan missed three months of the season with a lat injury, which limits his value on the open market, especially given that he wasn't as effective as customary (4.50 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) when he was out there.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Collects first save Pagan allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

Impact Alexis Diaz had pitched four of the previous five days, leaving this save chance up for grabs. Pagan nearly made a mess of it by loading the bases with no outs before fanning Jordan Walker, Thomas Saggese and Matt Carpenter to end the threat. Since returning from a lat injury in August, Pagan has been scored upon in just one of his 12 outings, though he gave up four runs in an inning in that misstep. He's at a 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB with one save and seven holds across 34.1 innings this year.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals aim to end 3-game slide, take on the Reds

The St. Louis Cardinals aim to stop their three-game losing streak with a win against the Cincinnati Reds

AUGUST 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Working as opener Wednesday Pagan will open Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Pagan owns a 4.22 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 21.1 innings on the season, though he threw a scoreless inning against the Brewers on Sunday in his first game since returning from the IL. He's only made one appearance that lasted longer than one inning this year, so he'll likely only be asked to get through the Cardinals' first three batters before handing the game over Carson Spiers, who is expected to pitch in bulk relief.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated off IL Pagan (lat) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Impact After three rehab outings, Pagan travelled with the Reds on Friday for the weekend series against the Brewers. Now healthy, the 33-year-old will provide right-handed relief out of Cincinnati's bullpen. To make room for Pagan on the 26-man roster, the Reds optioned right-hander Yosver Zulueta to Triple-A Louisville.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Could return vs. Brewers Pagan (lat) is with the Reds for their weekend series against the Brewers, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Pagan began his rehab assignment Aug. 2, and after throwing two scoreless frames over his first two outings, he gave up two runs on two hits in one inning in his last appearance Thursday. The 33-year-old reliever travelled with the team to Milwaukee and could be activated during the weekend series. Pagan has recorded three holds across 22 major-league outings this season with a 4.43 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 20.1 innings.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Makes first rehab outing Pagan (lat) struck out one over one scoreless inning for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Impact Pagan kicked off a rehab assignment with Saturday's outing and is expected to have three to five more rehab appearances before being activated. He landed on the 15-day injured list in June then was transferred to the 60-day IL a few weeks later. Pagan is eligible to be activated Aug. 8.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning rehab stint Manager David Bell said Friday that Pagan (lat) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday and will require 3-to-5 outings before being activated from the injured list, Charlie Goldsmi...

Impact The 33-year-old has been sidelined by a late strain since early June, and he should be ready to join the Reds shortly after he's first eligible to be activated Aug. 7. Pagan posted a 4.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB over 20.1 innings prior to landing on the 60-day IL.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Starts throwing again Pagan (lat) began a throwing program July 2, MLB.com reports.

Impact Pagan's throwing progression is expected to last most of the month before he reports to a minor-league affiliate for a rehab assignment. The right-hander is on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain and won't be eligible for activation until Aug. 7.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Reds host Detroit Tigers, look to break home losing streak

The Cincinnati Reds look to stop their four-game home slide with a win against the Detroit Tigers

JULY 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reds host the Tigers on 3-game home losing streak

The Cincinnati Reds are looking to break their three-game home slide with a win over the Detroit Tigers

JULY 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reds host the Tigers to begin 3-game series

The Cincinnati Reds host the Detroit Tigers to start a three-game series

JULY 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goes on IL with triceps injury The Reds placed Pagan on the 15-day injured list prior to Thursday's game against the Padres due to right triceps tightness.

Impact Pagan hadn't pitched since Sunday due to the injury, and though an MRI on his arm recently came back negative, the right-hander apparently didn't respond well to playing catch Tuesday. He'll be shut down for the next two weeks while recovering from the injury, depriving the Reds of one of their middle-relief options in front of closer Alexis Diaz.

MAY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Casey Schmitt hits walk-off double in the 10th as Giants beat Reds 6-5, but lose Jung Hoo Lee

Casey Schmitt hit a walk-off double in the 10th inning and the San Francisco Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-5

MAY 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reds' bullpen picks up after injured starter leaves, beats the Angels 3-0

The Reds’ bullpen picked up after starting pitcher Frankie Montas left the game in the first inning and Cincinnati shut out the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Sunday to sweep the series

APRIL 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

To miss start of Cactus League play Pagan won't be ready for the start of the Cactus League as he recovers from offseason sports hernia surgery, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Though Pagan will miss the first handful of spring training games, he has been throwing bullpen sessions during camp -- a good indication that he'll be able to return to game action sooner rather than later. Once he's able to get into a few Cactus League contests, Pagan's status for Opening Day should become clearer.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Reds to sign pitchers Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan The Cincinnati Reds agreed to sign right-handed pitchers Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagan.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Report: Reds reach 2-year deal with RHP Emilio Pagan Sep 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Emilio Pagan (15) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Color...

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Getting start after save Pagan will start Saturday's game in Colorado after earning a save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Rockies, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact Pagan needed just nine pitches in an easy bottom of the ninth inning Friday to earn his first save of the season and will now turn right back around make his first career start. The 32-year-old right-hander will probably only be asked to cover the first inning Saturday for the AL Central-champion Twins.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Continues recent turnaround Pagan (5-1) earned the win Sunday against the White Sox. He didn't allow a hit or walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Impact Since an ugly outing on June 11 where he gave up three runs and took a loss, Pagan has allowed just two runs in his last 16 innings with a 16:6 K:BB ratio. He's moved into higher-leverage spots as a result. His many high-profile bad outings in key spots in close games the past two seasons still likely limits his upside, however, as he may not move into a top set-up role. Pagan has one of the worst Win Probably Added metrics among relievers the last two years (-.022 this season) as a measure of his high-leverage struggles.

JULY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Extends scoreless streak Pagan allowed a hit while striking out two over two scoreless innings Tuesday against the Rays.

Impact Pagan hasn't allowed a run in his last 8.2 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight in that span. His ERA is down to 3.76 with a 1.14 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB through 26.1 innings this season. The 32-year-old Pagan was moved out of a high-leverage role after a shaky start to the season, but he looks to be working his way back up the Twins' bullpen hierarchy.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from hip injury Pagan (hip) allowed a hit and no walks over 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's 7-6 victory over the Guardians.

Impact Pagan left Sunday's loss to Toronto with a minor muscle strain in his hip area. He needed a few days off, but he's back to full speed. He's had an up-and-down season and has continued to struggle in high-leverage spots. He'll continue to work in middle relief.

JUNE 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Has strained hip Pagan left Sunday's loss to Toronto with a minor muscle strain in the hip, groin area, manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Impact Pagan's injury was initially thought to be an arm injury, but this sounds like a less worrisome issue. He may be able to avoid a trip to the injured list.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers apparent arm injury Pagan was removed from Sunday's game against the Blue Jays after suffering an apparent right arm injury, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact After Pagan hit Matt Chapman with a pitch, Twins trainer Masa Abe visited the right-hander on the mound. After consulting with the trainer, Pagan headed to the dugout and appeared to be favoring his right arm while walking off the field. Chapman was the only batter Pagan faced during the seven-pitch relief appearance.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE