Cards add reliever Caleb Ferguson from Reds

Ferguson was designated for assignment by the Cardinals after allowing eight runs over 8 1/3 innings following his deadline deal. The 30-year-old is now free to find a new landing spot, but may find the options to be limited.

St. Louis is moving on from Ferguson after he allowed eight runs over 8 1/3 innings after coming over from the Reds at the trade deadline earlier this month. The 30-year-old lefty has made 368 appearances in the big leagues since 2018 and should be able to latch on somewhere to close out the season.

Franco will get the ball for a bulk relief outing during Tuesday’s nightcap at Great American Ball Park following lefty opener Caleb Ferguson. The 25-year-old has allowed 11 runs — 10 earned — over 16 2/3 innings across nine appearances for the Reds this season. He can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

Pagán wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment over the weekend and will regain his role as Cincinnati’s closer. The 35-year-old veteran stopper has been out since early May working his way back from a hamstring strain. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues based on his track record and minimal in-house competition with the Reds.

With Emilio Pagán still working his way back, the Reds went to Ferguson to close out Friday’s win. The lefty retired Endy Rodríguez to start the frame, but then allowed a single to Konnor Griffin, giving Brandon Lowe a chance to be the hero for the Pirates. Ferguson, however, wasted little time with Lowe, taking advantage of the lefty-on-lefty matchup to retire him on three straight strikes and then forcing a lineout by Bryan Reynolds to end the game. This won’t be the new norm for Ferguson with Pagán on his way back, but he’s been reliable in nearly every outing he’s made for the Reds this season and proved he can come through in a big spot if needed.

Ferguson has missed all of 2026 while dealing with a strained right oblique. The 29-year-old will be a middle-inning option that likely sees most of his action against the left-handed portion of lineups.

Ferguson was slated for a followup MRI today, and if that turns out as hoped, he’ll be allowed to start a throwing program. He’ll be a part of the Reds bullpen once healthy.

The Reds are hopeful that it’s just a minor issue and that once Ferguson is shut down for a couple of weeks it will be alleviated. His absence will open a spot in the team’s Opening Day roster for someone else to win a spot — perhaps Sam Moll or Brandon Williamson to operate as a second left-hander out of the Reds’ bullpen.

It’s worth $4.5 million, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Gordon Wittenmyer, so it’s a 50% raise for Ferguson over the $3 million he came away with last time around. The 29-year-old had a 3.58 ERA for the Pirates and Mariners last season, but that came with a greatly diminished 19% strikeout rate after he’d never finished below 26% previously. He’ll compete for a setup role in front of Emilio Pagán.

The relief market continues to move at a breakneck pace while the position player sector progresses at a glacial rate. Ferguson provides Cincinnati with a badly-needed experienced southpaw that they can deploy in late-game situations, something they lacked this past season. The 29-year-old produced a strong 3.58 ERA — 3.26 FIP — 1.16 WHIP and 18.9 percent strikeout rate across 65 1/3 innings over 70 appearances between the Pirates and Mariners last year. He’ll operate in middle relief helping bridge the gap to stopper Emilio Pagàn.