Ian

Gibaut

Gibaut gets a head start on free agency after refusing an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville following his removal from Cincinnati’s 40-man roster earlier this week. The 31-year-old reliever underwent labrum surgery back in late August and is likely to miss a significant portion of next season. He’s posted a serviceable 3.92 ERA across 137 2/3 innings over 134 appearances for the Reds across the last four seasons.

Gibaut figures to elect free agency and search for a new opportunity on the open market this offseason after being removed from Cincinnati’s 40-man roster. The 31-year-old reliever underwent labrum surgery back in late August and is likely to miss a significant portion of next season. He’s posted a serviceable 3.92 ERA across 137 2/3 innings over 134 appearances for the Reds across the last four seasons.

Gibaut recently had labrum surgery that is surely going to cost him the rest of the year. The 31-year-old had a 4.62 ERA in 25 relief appearances for the Reds this season.

He went on the IL with the same ailment on April 26 and returned May 21. Gibaut has a 4.62 ERA in 25 appearances out of the Cincinnati pen this season.

Gibaut will return to a 5.40 ERA and 11/4 K/BB ratio in 11 2/3 innings with the Reds this season. He will be an extra bullpen arm until Hunter Greene returns this weekend, at which point another reliever will be sent to the minors. It just won’t be Gibaut since he’s out of minor league options.

Gibaut has missed the last three weeks with a shoulder impingement. Luis Mey seems sure to stick around, so the Reds could send down Lyon Richardson to open up a spot.

Gibaut has been a workhorse this season for Cincinnati, recording a serviceable 5.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 11/4 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings (12 appearances) after making a career-high 74 appearances last year for the Reds. No word yet on how long he’ll be sidelined, but shoulder issues tend to lead to extended absences.

It was surprising to see Gibaut up for the ninth, but the Reds ran through their better arms early; Scott Barlow, Emilio Pagán and Tony Santillan each pitched perfect innings that included two strikeouts. Gibaut, who was non-tendered by the Reds over the winter before being re-signed to a minor league deal, went on to give up three hits, including a three-run homer to Wilmer Flores. There wouldn’t have been much reason to pick up Gibaut in fantasy leagues had he succeeded today, and there certainly isn’t any now. Santillan is probably the current favorite for saves, with Barlow, who is throwing particularly well, maybe next in line.

Gibaut was a high-leverage reliever for the Reds in 2023, posting a 3.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, three saves, and 69/28 K/BB ratio in 75 2/3 innings. He battled injuries in 2024 and was only able to pitch two MLB innings, so the Reds will now add him to the leverage ladder at the end of games.

Gibaut returns to Cincinnati as extra organizational relief depth heading into spring training after being non-tendered earlier this offseason. The 31-year-old righty made just two relief appearances last year for the Reds on the heels of a career-high 74 the prior season.