Emilio

Pagán

Pagán surrendered doubles to James Outman and Austin Martin in the ninth before preserving the tie. It’s his second blown save, but it doesn’t seem like a big problem with the Reds winning in 10 innings anyway. That said, Tony Santillan, who got a save with Pagán resting Saturday, looks like the better reliever right now.

Emilio Pagán shook off his hamstring issue to pitch last night, but the Reds apparently weren’t willing to use him on back-to-back days just yet. That got Santillan his first save in 2026 after he earned seven last year. He’s yet to allow a run in 10 innings this season, and he’d be in line to close if Pagán loses the job at some point.

Pagan hadn’t pitched since Tuesday due to a tight hamstring, but didn’t show any signs of rust on Friday. Tasked with protecting a one-run lead he retired the Twins in order — including a punchout of Tristan Gray. On the season, the 34-year-old hurler now holds a 4.35 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 10/6 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings while converting six of his first seven save chances.

Pagán felt his hamstring get a little tight last night on his final pitch, but it never felt like a major injury. He is in no pain but still saw a doctor and did some treatment this morning. He also played catch fine and feels that he “dodged a bullet.” The team will talk to decide if he’s available tonight, but it looks like Pagán will avoid the injured list. It still might not be a bad idea to stash Tony Santillan if you have a roster spot, just in case Pagán’s hamstring acts up again the next time he pitches.

Pagán didn’t look comfortable after throwing his final pitch of the night while tossing a perfect ninth inning against the Giants to collect his fifth save of the season. Tony Santillan would be next up if Pagán were to miss any time. There should be some clarity on his status prior to Wednesday’s showdown.

Pagán was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the final frame and needed just seven pitches (six strikes) to get the job done. He coaxed a fly out from Jung Hoo Lee before fanning Heliot Ramos and inducing a harmless fly ball from pinch-hitter Daniel Susac to end it. It was his first save since April 6.

Pagán got the call to guard a two-run lead in the final frame and needed just 13 pitches (eight strikes) to slam the door. He got Jakob Marsee to pop out and Otto Lopez to ground out before winning an eight-pitch battle against Heriberto Hernández to end it. The 34-year-old stopper isn’t one of the more dominant relief arms in the game but he’s been a reliable fantasy closer for the past two seasons, converting 36 of 43 save opportunities during that span.

Fortunately, Joe Pederson grounded into a double play after the first walk. The Rangers tried to rally again afterwards, but Pagán struck out Evan Carter to end the game. It’s his third save in four tries. The Reds have now used Pagán, Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft on consecutive days, so Connor Phillips might be in line for a save chance on Sunday.

Pagán got the bottom of the order today after retired Evan Carter and Danny Jansen before striking out leadoff man Brandon Nimmo. This makes him 2-for-3 saving games amidst a rough start overall (5 ER, 2 HR in 4 1/3 IP).

A day after blowing a one-run lead, Pagán held on to this one. He allowed a double to Andruw Monasterio with one out, but he got flyouts from Ceddanne Rafaela and Trevor Story (with a Roman Anthony intentional walk mixed in) to end the game from there. With Pagán and Tony Santillan both working the last two days, the Reds may have to go to Graham Ashcraft or Pierce Johnson if they have a late lead Monday versus the Pirates. It’d be a third straight day for Johnson, but he’s only thrown 20 pitches the last two, compared to 34 for Pagán and 52 for Santillan.