Emilio Pagán is only a little bit hurt
He’s dealing with some hamstring pain after last night’s save.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 14: Emilio Pagán #15 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on April 14, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán picked up his 5th save of the 2026 season on Tuesday night, coaxing a deep fly-out off the bat of San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Daniel Susac to help wrap up a closely fought 2-1 victory. That was obviously the good news.
The bad news – or potentially bad news, at least – was that he clearly seemed to grimace while delivering the pitch. Since it coincided with the end of the game, coverage of said grimace was a bit scant, and we were instead left waiting to find out just exactly what happened. Was it a knee?
Was it something innocuous? According to MLB. com’s Mark Sheldon, it’s a hamstring issue for Pagán, one that comes with a bit of optimism about the recovery time needed.
Sheldon later clarified that it’s his left hamstring, not right. The Reds have already announced a starting lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Giants, and they’ve made no roster moves in concurrence with said lineup. So, it’s safe to say that Pagán isn’t going to need a trip to the IL to get this right – at least, not yet.