Former Twins reliever Emilio Pagán made just one pitch after entering the ninth inning of Tuesday night's Cincinnati Reds-Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field before being carted off with a left hamstring injury. The Cubs defeated the Reds 3-2.
Reds closer Emilio Pagan had to be carted off with a hamstring injury pic.twitter.com/eshVUjz11k
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 6, 2026
After the game, Reds manager Terry Francona told reporters that Pagán will certainly go on the injured list and will undergo an MRI scan on Wednesday morning.
Because of right triceps tightness and later a right lat strain, Pagán made just 38 appearances in 2024, his first season with the Reds, posting a 4.50 ERA with a 27.8% strikeout rate and 7% walk rate across 38 innings. Pagán bounced back with a fully healthy 2025 season, being arguably one of the best closers in baseball with a 2.88 ERA, 32 saves, a 30.0% strikeout rate and 8.1% walk rate over 68 2/3 innings.
Pagán is having rough season with Reds
Pagán, who signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Reds in the offseason, has had a rough start to the season, posting a 6.43 ERA with a 17.7% strikeout rate, 9.7% walk rate and six saves in nine chances across 14 innings. Many Reds fans have been clamoring for Francona to replace Pagán as the Reds' closer, and now they have their wish in the unfortunate form of an injury.
It's been a trend throughout Pagán's career to sandwich his best seasons in between less-than-ideal ones. In his rookie season (2017) with the Seattle Mariners, Pagán had a solid 3.22 ERA with a 28.6% strikeout rate and 4.1% walk rate in 50 1/3 innings. He regressed in his following season as a member of the Oakland Athletics, posting a 4.35 ERA with a 24% strikeout rate and 7.3% walk rate over 62 innings. Then, he arguably had the best season of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019, managing a 2.31 ERA with a 36% strikeout rate and 4.9% walk rate across 70 innings.
After posting a 4.75 ERA in 85 1/3 innings with the San Diego Padres from 2020-21, Pagán was dealt to the Minnesota Twins along with Chris Paddack for Taylor Rogers and Brent Rooker. Pagán struggled in his first season with Minnesota, posting a 4.43 ERA with a 30.7% strikeout rate and 9.5% walk rate in 63 innings. Then, the righty had an outstanding 2023 season with the Twins, pitching to a 2.99 ERA with a 23.8% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate over 69 1/3 innings. He pitched two scoreless innings in the 2023 playoffs.
When Pagán returns from the IL, he may no longer have his closer role. It has yet to be revealed how serious his injury is.
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