Cincinnati Reds’ Emilio Pagán Faces Lengthy Recovery After Hamstring Injury
Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán feared the worst when he collapsed in pain on the mound Tuesday night. Initial concerns that his season might be over were tempered Wednesday when medical evaluations revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. While the injury sidelines him for one to two months, Pagán expressed relief that the news wasn’t more devastating.
“It was excruciating,” Pagán admitted. “I don’t know what tearing a hamstring off the bone feels like, but this was incredibly painful. Still, compared to what it could have been, this is good news.”
The incident occurred during the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Pagán, who turns 35 on Thursday, hopped off the mound after his first pitch, clutching his left leg before being carted off the field. The sight left teammates and fans alike holding their breath.
Reds manager Terry Francona acknowledged the severity of the injury but remained hopeful about Pagán’s recovery timeline. “When you see something like that, your mind goes to the worst-case scenario,” Francona said. “We’re looking at four to six weeks, but hamstrings are tricky. It’ll heal at its own pace.”
Pagán’s absence creates a significant void in the Reds’ bullpen. The veteran reliever had a standout 2023 season, posting a 2.88 ERA and recording a career-high 32 saves, helping Cincinnati reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020. He re-signed with the team in December on a two-year, $20 million deal but has struggled this season, sporting a 6.43 ERA and six saves in 15 appearances.
Francona indicated that the team won’t name a permanent closer while Pagán is sidelined. “It doesn’t make sense to just hand it to someone,” he explained. “We’ll adjust based on the situation, the lineup, and how the game unfolds.”
In other roster moves, the Reds activated Pierce Johnson from the bereavement list and promoted right-handed reliever Tejay Antone from Triple-A Louisville. Antone made an immediate impact in his return to the majors, pitching a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts in Wednesday’s 7-6 loss to the Cubs.
For Antone, the outing was a triumphant moment after a grueling recovery journey. His last MLB appearance was on April 7, 2024, when he threw just one pitch before exiting with an elbow injury, leading to his third Tommy John surgery. The 32-year-old earned his promotion by posting a 2.25 ERA in Louisville.
“I wanted to come back, but I wasn’t expecting it,” an emotional Antone said after the game. “I just focused on pitching my best and controlling what I could control. The Reds gave me this opportunity, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Meanwhile, left-hander Brandon Williamson was transferred to the 60-day injured list, and right-hander Chase Petty was sent down to Triple-A.
Pagán’s injury adds to Cincinnati’s recent struggles, as the team has now lost six consecutive games. However, Antone’s return offers a glimmer of hope for a bullpen in need of stability.
As Pagán begins his rehabilitation, the Reds will look to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around. For now, the focus remains on recovery and resilience, both for their sidelined closer and the team as a whole.
— Reported by Nexio News
