Buck

Farmer

Farmer heads to Cincinnati as emergency relief depth after stints earlier this season with the Braves and Angels at the Triple-A level. The 34-year-old journeyman reliever made 176 appearances for the Reds from 2022-2024 and figures to make it back to the majors at some point in the coming weeks.

The 34-year-old right-hander was cut loose by the Braves back in April after giving up four runs over 4 2/3 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett. He’ll add bullpen depth for the Halos at Triple-A Salt Lake and if he shows anything at all he’ll probably get an opportunity to pitch for the Angels in relatively short order.

Farmer was a fine low-leverage reliever for the Reds last year, finishing with a 3.04 ERA in 71 innings, but in part because his velocity was down in the process, no one wanted him as a free agent over the winter. He took a minor league deal from the Braves and then failed to make the team with his velocity down even further from last year. He’s a free agent again now after giving up five runs — four earned — in 4 2/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett.

Farmer, 33, was a major asset out of the Reds’ bullpen in 2024 — registering a 3.04 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 70/29 K/BB ratio over 71 innings in his 61 appearances. It’s actually a bit surprising that he had to settle for a minor-league deal. With a strong showing in Grapefruit League action, he should have a decent chance at cracking the Braves’ Opening Day bullpen.

Abbott was originally listed as Cincinnati’s starter for Friday’s contest against the Pirates, but it’s been switched to Buck Farmer instead. No word yet on the reason for the change, but it’s a situation fantasy managers should monitor.

The “decision stems from a roster crunch, not a move to become outright sellers,” so the Reds will only look to move relievers who will be free agents at the end of the year. That includes players like Lucas Sims, Buck Farmer, Justin Wilson, and Nick Martinez. Veteran right-handers Emilio Pagán and Ian Gibaut are out of options and getting closer to a return, leaving the Reds short on roster spots for relievers they’d like to keep, which is why they might be looking to rearrange deck chairs in their bullpen.

MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon says the deal is worth $2.25 million. The 32-year-old Farmer became a free agent in November after spending the last two years in Cincinnati and amassing a 4.06 ERA and a 124/54 K/BB ratio in 122 innings out of the bullpen. He’ll be back in the mix in the seventh and eighth innings next season.

It was a bit of a revenge game for the 32-year-old as he was drafted by the Tigers and spent eight seasons with the big league club in Detroit. Farmer needed just 13 pitches to get the job done, and he has a 3.50 ERA across 69 1/3 innings with the Reds this season.

Alexis Díaz had this one off after pitching the last two days. Farmer often pitches in front of Lucas Sims, but he got the call in the ninth today after Sims worked a perfect seventh. He has a 2.48 ERA in 36 1/3 innings.

Regular closer Alexis Diaz was given the day off after pitching in three-of-four games. Farmer got the call with the Reds up by one run in the bottom of the ninth in Boston. He struck out one in a clean frame for his first save of the season. The 32-year-old right-hander holds a 2.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts across 27 2/3 innings.