RADIO
Emilio Pagan Becomes a Free Agent
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Saturday that right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan declined his $10 million 2027 player option to become a free agent. Pagan did not pitch for the Reds from May 5 to July 3 due to a strained left hamstring. He finished the 2026 campaign with a 5-1 record, 3.38 ERA, and 25 saves in 28 chances while making $10 million. The 35-year-old veteran has 90 saves in his 10 seasons in the big leagues, with the last three coming with the Reds. The former 10th-round pick in 2013 out of Belmont Abbey College by the Seattle Mariners should attract plenty of interest on the open market for a multi-year contract after recording 57 saves in the last two seasons in Cincy, but he might not be guaranteed a primary closing job with a new organization. Pagan also had 20 saves in 70 innings pitched in his third year in the majors in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Rays. He has 90 career saves in 549 1/3 innings pitched in his 10 years in the league with six different teams. The journeyman reliever had a nice 6.3% walk rate this year, but his strikeout rate dropped from 30% in 2025 to 25.9% in 2026.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Reds Decline 2027 Option on Eugenio Suarez
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Saturday that they declined the $16 million 2027 mutual option on veteran third baseman Eugenio Suarez. This one comes as no surprise after the Reds tried to trade the 35-year-old Venezuelan slugger late in the year. In his 13th year in the big leagues, the two-time All-Star continued to regress offensively, slashing .212/.307/.433 with a .740 OPS, 26 home runs, 74 RBI, 50 runs scored, one stolen base, 52 walks, and 169 strikeouts in 498 plate appearances across 125 games in his return to Cincinnati. It was a major step back for Suarez, who hit 49 home runs and drove in a career-best 118 runs in 159 games in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners. He will not be back in Cincy next year, but he should still attract interest as more of a designated hitter with some power. Suarez's inability to make consistent contact -- he had a career-high 33.9% strikeout rate in 2026 -- will make him a hard-to-roster slugger in deeper fantasy formats if his power continues to decline, as expected, as he nears the end of his career.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Chase Burns Working on Adding a Sinker
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns (groin) was working on a sinker in his final starts before being placed on the 15-day injured list with a groin strain, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Charlie's Chalkboard Substack. Burns put together a dominant season in 2026, recording a 15-3 record with a 2.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts across 154 1/3 innings (29 starts). However, Burns threw almost exclusively four-seam fastballs and sliders, mixing in the occasional changeup as well. Burns told Goldsmith that adding the sinker and continuing to develop his changeup should help him go deeper into games. If Burns can successfully add a sinker to his repertoire over the offseason, he could take his production to an even higher level in 2027.
Source: Charlie's Chalkboard - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: Charlie's Chalkboard - Charlie Goldsmith
Reds Place Chase Burns on Injured List With Groin Strain
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Sunday that they placed right-hander Chase Burns (groin) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 19) with a strained right groin and selected the contract of right-hander Carson Spiers from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. The Reds had been working to limit the young right-hander's innings in recent weeks, and now his 2026 season will come to an end with a week remaining on the schedule. The 23-year-old former second overall pick in 2024 from Wake Forest University had a fantastic first full season in the majors this year, earning his first All-Star nod while going 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA (3.24 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, and 185:56 K:BB in 154 1/3 innings pitched across his 29 starts for the Reds. Burns recorded a strong 29.4% strikeout rate while walking 8.9% of the batters he faced. He is one of the best upside arms in terms of strikeout stuff in the big leagues, as long as he can stay healthy going forward. The native of Italy was limited to exactly three innings in each of his final three starts in 2026, allowing four earned runs while walking six and striking out 14.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Since Return From Injury, Alfredo Duno Has Done Nothing But Hit
Cincinnati Reds catcher prospect Alfredo Duno came back from a right hamstring injury on August 26 and since then has been red-hot with the bat for Double-A Chattanooga. Since that return date, Duno has hit 20-for-55 (.364) with no homers and six RBI. Altogether this season, between two levels of the minors, the 20-year-old is hitting .281 with 19 homers and 61 RBI in 363 at bats with 64 runs scored. The right-handed hitter is the top overall prospect in the Reds system and figures to be their catcher of the future. He has a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power. At just 20 years old, Duno has done a nice job so far in the minor leagues. While there is growth to be had, he looks like a future big league star and a plus fantasy contributor. It's nice to see him hit so well coming back from his injury to close out the season. He appears to be a few years away from a big-league debut.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Hector Rodriguez Remains an Intriguing Power Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 124 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in early August, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Hector Rodriguez is hitting .224/.274/.379 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and 14 runs scored. Swing-and-miss has been an issue for Rodriguez early in his big-league career, as he's struck out in 25.8% of his trips to the plate. His underlying batted-ball metrics don't leap off the page either, as he's posted just a 6.0% barrel rate and a 33.3% hard-hit rate. However, Rodriguez showcased high-end power upside in the minors this season, hitting 27 home runs across 455 plate appearances with Triple-A Louisville. He's also emerged as the everyday right fielder in Cincinnati, which figures to continue as the Reds try to evaluate their roster ahead of 2027. For fantasy managers searching for power potential on the waiver wire, Rodriguez is a logical target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hector Rodriguez a High-Upside Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 102 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in early August, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Hector Rodriguez is hitting .266/.324/.457 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and 14 runs scored. Swing-and-miss is a red flag in the 22-year-old's profile, as he's struck out in 28.4% of his plate appearances. With middling barrel (7.7%) and hard-hit (33.8%) rates, Rodriguez's underlying batted-ball metrics at the big-league level are not amazing either. However, the young outfielder put up monster power numbers in the minors this season before getting promoted, hitting 27 home runs across 455 plate appearances at Triple-A. He's also taken over as the Reds' everyday right fielder and should get an extended run to prove himself as the season winds to a close. Fantasy managers in search of power upside on the waiver wire may want to target Rodriguez.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eugenio Suarez Back From Personal Matter on Friday
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for Friday's contest against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan at Great American Ball Park, per MLB.com. Suarez missed the final two games of the series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday to take his US naturalization test, but he is back now and ready for the weekend series in Cincy. The Reds placed the 35-year-old Venezuelan on outright waivers recently, but he was not picked up and will finish out the 2026 season with the Reds before becoming a free agent this winter. Suarez still has some pop, but he is striking out 35% of the time in his 13th MLB season. The two-time All-Star is also hitting just .206 (77-for-373) with a .298 on-base percentage, 20 home runs, 59 RBI, and 36 runs scored across 107 games and 426 plate appearances this year. It has been a steep decline for Suarez, who tied a career high with 49 round-trippers in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Sal Stewart Riding Second-Half Surge into Final Month of 2026
Across 607 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart is hitting .266/.336/.485 with 31 home runs, 105 RBI, 80 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. The 22-year-old has been one of the most consistent run producers in baseball this season, as he currently leads MLB in RBI. Stewart went through a moderate dry spell in the middle of the season, but he just finished up a scorching hot August. Across 126 plate appearances last month, the young slugger hit .304 with eight home runs and 21 RBI. In 189 plate appearances since the All-Star break, Stewart has posted an .859 OPS with 12 long balls and 40 RBI. As September gets underway, Stewart looks like a premium option at either corner infield spot for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eugenio Suarez to Miss Next Two Games for US Naturalization Test
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez will miss the team's next two games to close out the series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday in order to take the US naturalization test, according to Theo DeRosa of MLB.com. Suarez is a Venezuelan native who makes his home in Miami, and he is seeking US citizenship. The 35-year-old is choosing to remain in the US for good after signing with the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent at the age of 17 in 2008. Suarez has played for the Tigers, Reds, Seattle Mariners, and Arizona Diamondbacks during his 13-year major-league career. The Reds recently put Suarez on outright waivers as a way to get out of paying him his remaining salary for the 2026 season, but there were no takers on waivers, so he is set to close out the year in Cincy. He signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Reds after hitting 49 home runs last season, but he is currently slashing just .206/.298/.410 with 20 homers and 59 RBI in 2026. Suarez still has pop, but his high rate of swings and misses makes him a major drain on average and on-base percentage.
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Chase Burns Will Face Workload Limitations Down the Stretch
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona announced on Monday that starting pitcher Chase Burns will be on an innings/pitch-count restriction following his next scheduled start on Monday, Sept. 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, per Joe Danneman of Fox 19 Cincinnati. After the start against the Dodgers, Burns will start games and then be followed by Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson. Burns has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, recording a 15-3 record with a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts across 145 1/3 innings (26 starts). The 23-year-old has averaged 97.7 miles per hour on his fastball while posting an excellent 28.9% strikeout rate. However, the Reds have all but been eliminated from postseason contention this season. It appears the team is looking to limit Burns' workload in an effort to keep him healthy long-term. Fantasy managers can still rely on Burns for solid ratios, but he may not provide many strikeouts or any wins in his final few appearances of 2026.
Source: Fox 19 Cincinnati - Joe Danneman
Source: Fox 19 Cincinnati - Joe Danneman
Elly De La Cruz Serving as the DH on Monday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for the Reds in Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Michael King at Great American Ball Park, according to MLB.com. Matt McLain will start at shortstop and bat seventh. Fantasy managers had a scare in Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs when De La Cruz was pulled early with tightness in his left quad, but he will be back a day later as the DH. Even if the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is not as aggressive on the base paths on Monday, he needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups in traditional leagues. The two-time All-Star is a five-category contributor and is currently slashing .271/.350/.479 with an .828 OPS, 21 homers, 60 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 468 at-bats this year. De La Cruz will be looking to finish off August on a strong note. He has gone hitless in just five career at-bats against King.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Elly De La Cruz Diagnosed With Left-Quad Tightness
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) was diagnosed with left-quad tightness after he exited in the seventh inning of Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs. De La Cruz was replaced in the lineup by Ivan Johnson, but not before he went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, a run, and two strikeouts. The 24-year-old owns a .269/.349/.476 slash line with 21 home runs, 60 RBI, 24 steals, a 10.7% walk rate, a 27.0% strikeout rate, and a career-high 125 wRC+ this season. De La Cruz avoided injury throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but he missed three weeks earlier this year due to a right hamstring strain, and now it appears that he's banged up once again. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for additional injury updates from the Reds after Sunday night's game goes final. UPDATE: FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith reports that De La Cruz has a chance to play in Monday's series opener against the San Diego Padres.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Edwin Arroyo Has Big Potential After Late-Season Call-Up
Cincinnati Reds middle-infield prospect Edwin Arroyo was recalled by the Reds from Triple-A Louisville on Friday and has the potential to be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues down the stretch. Arroyo was 0-for-1 in his return to Cincinnati on Saturday after making an appearance in the big leagues earlier this season. The infielder was hitting pretty well for Louisville in August with four homers and nine RBI while hitting .261. At Louisville this season, Arroyo had 285 at-bats in 72 games with 15 homers and 43 RBI and hit .309. Arroyo made his first appearance with the Reds on June 1, and he spent two full months playing in Cincinnati with the big-league club. The 23-year-old switch-hitter hit .242 in 132 at-bats with no homers and five RBI and 13 runs scored. Look for Arroyo to be a help in the batting average and runs scored categories specifically.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Eugenio Suarez Clears Waivers, Staying With Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez and outfielder TJ Friedl have both cleared waivers and will be with the team in Chicago on Friday for their series opener against the division-rival Cubs at Wrigley Field, team sources told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. The Reds placed Suarez and Friedl on outright waivers on Wednesday night, but they have gone unclaimed and are likely to finish out the 2026 season with the Reds before moving on as free agents this winter. Suarez, 35, has 19 home runs in 361 at-bats in 2026, including a big grand slam in an improbable comeback win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, but he's also hitting just .208/.295/.410 with a .705 OPS and a career-high 34.9% strikeout rate in his 13th year in the big leagues. The Reds were hoping another team might take Suarez and his $3 million salary the rest of the way off their hands as they look to save a little money going into the offseason. Suarez will remain with Cincy for just over a month left in the season, where he'll provide fantasy managers with some pop but little else.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
