Reds sign former Twins reliever Darren McCaughan, who delivered a historic strikeout of Jose Altuve last season with Minnesota
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Wednesday that they've signed former Twins right-handed pitcher Darren McCaughan to a minor league contract. He'll be a non-roster invitee in Spring Training.
Many Twins fans likely don't remember McCaughan, 29, on their favorite team, as the righty made just three appearances with the Twins last season. Minnesota fans who do remember McCaughan donning a Twins uniform likely recall when he struck out Astros second baseman Jose Altuve on April 3, marking the 2017 MVP's fifth strikeout of the game. McCaughan's K of Altuve set the record for the most times the second baseman struck out in a single game.
In the game in which he recorded the historic strikeout of Altuve, McCaughan collected four strikeouts over two scoreless innings.
During the first of McCaughan's three appearances with Minnesota, the righty allowed just one hit across 2 2/3 scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox. During his third and final MLB appearance of the season on April 6, McCaughan allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk in 2/3 of an inning against the Astros.
The Twins designated McCaughan for assignment one day after his final MLB appearance of the 2025 season. He cleared waivers and elected free agency before re-signing with the Twins on a minor league deal. In 26 appearances (12 starts) with Triple-A St. Paul last season, McCaughan posted a 5.10 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 33 walks in 97 innings.
McCaughan made his major league debut in 2021 for the Seattle Mariners and has a career 5.93 ERA in 60 ⅔ innings. In addition to the Twins and Mariners, McCaughan has logged big-league innings for the Miami Marlins and Cleveland Guardians. In 127 games at the Triple-A level, he has pitched to a 5.14 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 184 walks in 643 innings.
McCaughan's main issue throughout his professional career has been his inability to limit home runs. He has allowed 13 homers in 61 1/3 MLB innings and 136 homers in 902 minor league innings.
The Reds' new righty relies on four pitches: a low-80s sweeper, a low-80s/high-90s four-seamer and sinker and a low-80s changeup.
It's doubtful that McCaughan will make the Reds' 26-man roster on opening day. He'll likely experience another season being mainly stashed in Triple-A. The Reds will likely add him to their big-league roster when a pitcher suffers an injury or their bullpen is overworked.