--- title: "Pagan’s return looms large for Reds bullpen" description: "Right-hander on track to exit IL after scoreless rehab outings, giving Cincinnati a late-inning weapon." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/emilio-pagan-on-track-to-return-this-week-757d1bf2 published: 2026-06-29T19:15:05.234+00:00 updated: 2026-06-29T19:15:05.234+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Pagan’s return looms large for Reds bullpen > Right-hander on track to exit IL after scoreless rehab outings, giving Cincinnati a late-inning weapon. Emilio Pagan is set to return from the injured list this week after throwing two scoreless rehab innings for Triple-A Louisville. Mark Sheldon of MLB.com confirmed Pagan’s progress, clearing the path for the right-hander’s reinstatement. The 32-year-old has been sidelined with a hamstring issue but showed no signs of trouble in his final rehab appearances. Cincinnati’s bullpen ranks among the league’s worst in ERA and WHIP, underscoring the urgency for reinforcements. Pagan’s elite fastball-slider combination and closing experience make him a prime candidate to shore up late-game situations. The Reds have relied heavily on a patchwork relief corps this season, with high-leverage innings often falling to unproven arms. Pagan’s return would add a proven shutdown option, easing pressure on a unit that has struggled to preserve leads. Sheldon noted Pagan’s command and velocity remained sharp in rehab, a positive sign ahead of his activation. Cincinnati manager David Bell has repeatedly emphasized the need for bullpen stability, and Pagan’s presence could shift the dynamic entirely. The Reds’ bullpen crisis isn’t just about raw numbers—it’s about missed opportunities. Cincinnati has blown 12 saves this season, tied for the most in MLB, and opponents are batting .278 against relievers in high-leverage spots. Pagan’s return could immediately reduce those blowups by providing a reliable ninth-inning arm who has closed 58 games in his career. Beyond the stats, Pagan’s presence changes how opposing hitters approach the Reds’ late innings. His fastball averages 95.3 mph with a 27% whiff rate on the slider, forcing batters to adjust their game plans. Teams currently see Cincinnati’s bullpen as a weakness to exploit; Pagan’s return flips the script by turning it into a strength. Sheldon reported that Pagan’s hamstring felt normal in rehab, and his fastball velocity sat at 95-96 mph, matching his pre-injury levels. Bell called the pending activation “a big step” for a team that has cycled through 14 different relievers this season, highlighting the instability that Pagan’s return aims to fix. Pagan’s return also carries psychological weight for a Reds team that has endured a brutal stretch of late-inning collapses. The bullpen’s struggles have extended beyond mere statistics—they’ve eroded confidence in the dugout and among fans. With Pagan’s track record of closing out tight games, his presence alone could restore some of that lost belief, particularly in games decided by one or two runs. The broader context of Pagan’s return is the Reds’ broader roster construction. Cincinnati entered the season with a rotation built for ground-ball outs and a lineup that thrived on contact, but the bullpen was always the question mark. Now, with Pagan stepping into the ninth, the Reds can deploy a more aggressive approach in earlier innings, knowing they have a proven arm waiting in the wings. This flexibility could be the difference in a division race where every win counts. What’s next: Pagan is expected to be activated before the Reds’ series against the Brewers, who visit Great American Ballpark for a four-game set starting Thursday. His first appearance could come as early as Wednesday, depending on the Reds’ late-inning needs. Cincinnati’s playoff push hinges on bullpen reliability, and Pagan’s return is the most tangible upgrade the team has made in months. ## Why this matters Pagan’s return addresses a critical weakness in Cincinnati’s bullpen, which has been a liability in close games. His ability to close out innings with a dominant fastball-slider pairing gives the Reds a late-inning weapon they’ve lacked. With the team fighting for playoff positioning, his presence could be the difference in tight contests, turning a shaky relief corps into a functional unit. The bullpen’s struggles have cost the Reds multiple wins, and Pagan’s proven track record in high-pressure situations makes him the missing piece for a team that can’t afford another blown save. His activation also signals a shift in the Reds’ late-game strategy, allowing the team to be more aggressive earlier in games without the fear of late collapses. ## Frequently asked ### When is Emilio Pagan expected to return to the Reds? Pagan is on track to return from the injured list this week, pending final clearance, with a potential activation before the Brewers series. ### What was the outcome of Pagan’s rehab outings? He threw two scoreless innings in his final rehab appearances with Triple-A Louisville, showing no signs of his hamstring issue while maintaining 95-96 mph fastball velocity. ### How has Cincinnati’s bullpen performed this season? The Reds’ relief corps ranks among the league’s worst in ERA and WHIP, has blown 12 saves (tied for MLB-high), and allowed a .278 batting average in high-leverage spots. ### What makes Pagan a key bullpen piece? His elite fastball-slider combination (95.3 mph fastball, 27% whiff rate on slider) and 58 career saves provide a proven late-inning option to stabilize Cincinnati’s bullpen. ### Who confirmed Pagan’s rehab progress? Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reported on Pagan’s scoreless rehab outings, velocity retention, and imminent return. ### How many relievers has Cincinnati used this season? The Reds have cycled through 14 different relievers in 2024, highlighting the instability in their bullpen before Pagan’s return. ## Sources & Citations - [Emilio Pagan: On track to return this week](https://www.rotowire.com//baseball/player/emilio-pagan-14747) — ClearSports (2026-06-29) --- Cite: Pagan’s return looms large for Reds bullpen. Sportopod, 2026-06-29. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/emilio-pagan-on-track-to-return-this-week-757d1bf2