The Cincinnati Reds signed their first free agency bullpen pitcher of the winter, a day after the World Series on the first official day of baseball’s offseason.
Kind of.
The Reds announced on Thursday that Tony Santillan, the reliever who appeared in three games for the team this summer despite a string of injuries, had re-signed with them on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.
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Since being designated for assignment on August 29 and finally being outrighted to Triple-A Louisville, the right-hander had been off the Reds roster.
Santillan, a 2015 second-round draft choice by the Reds, made three appearances with the Reds in July of 2023 and allowed one run in 3 1/3 innings (2.70 ERA).
Since making his Reds debut in June 2021, he has 50 career appearances, a 3.60 ERA, and 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
Santillan, 26, missed a large portion of 2023 due to back, knee, and hamstring ailments. That season, the Reds’ bullpen emerged as one of the hardest-working and most productive in the majors, and they were the hidden heroes of the team’s surprising run into the postseason.
Right-hander Buck Farmer (4.20 ERA, 71 games), one of those frequently utilized pitchers, and outfielder Harrison Bader (acquired on waivers on August 31) became formal free agents on Thursday.
A decision about Joey Votto’s $20 million contract option ($7 million buyout) for 2024 will be announced soon. The deadline for making that choice is Monday.
Originally published on Cincinnati Enquirer, this article Tony Santillan signs a minor league contract to rejoin the Cincinnati Reds.
