Taylor

Rogers

Rogers is back in Minnesota, the spot where it all started for the 35-year-old. He forged a 3.38 ERA with a 53/23 K/BB ratio over his 50 2/3 innings with the Cubs and Reds in 2025, and he should be a high-leverage option for the Twins — maybe one who sees some save chances — in 2026.

The 35-year-old southpaw broke into the big leagues with the Twins in 2016 and racked up 50 saves over his six seasons there before beginning his tour of the National League in 2022. Rogers posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 53/23 K/BB ratio over 50 2/3 innings between the Reds and Cubs in 2025. Given their current options, there’s a chance that Rogers could once again find himself at least in the conversation for saves at the back end of the Twins’ bullpen.

Brown’s inclusion represents the lone change for Chicago from their Wild Card Series roster against the Padres. The 26-year-old offers some additional long relief depth for the extended best-of-five series over Rogers, who was merely additional left-handed middle relief depth behind Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar at this juncture.

Rogers heads to Pittsburgh after posting a strong 2.45 ERA and 34/19 K/BB ratio across 33 innings (40 appearances) this season in his Reds debut. The experienced 34-year-old southpaw has made a staggering 549 appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2016. He also boasts 83 career saves during that span.

Francona told reporters he’ll play it by ear. He mentioned that Tony Santillan seemed like the obvious replacement, but that the right-hander may be “too valuable” to save for the ninth inning. Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan and a host of other bullpen arms are all possible options, but Santillan would obviously be the ideal replacement with his swing-and-miss stuff from a fantasy perspective.

Diaz’ rough spring concludes with a hamstring injury that will have him sidelined to start the season. The 28-year-old right-hander had a 13.50 ERA in four spring training appearances after missing time with a knee issue. Now that Diaz is beginning the year on the injured list, Taylor Rogers, Scott Barlow, Emilio Pagan or some combination of the three will close games for the Reds and new manager Terry Francona. There isn’t a clear return timetable at this juncture, but fantasy managers should expect him to be sidelined into mid-to-late April.

Reds manager Terry Francona had some pointed commentary last Saturday after Díaz walked three batters and was charged with five runs while recording only out out against the Royals. The 28-year-old’s sudden control problems, after missing time earlier in camp with a knee issue, could potentially open the door for veteran southpaw Taylor Rogers, who has 83 career saves, or another experienced alternative like Scott Barlow or Emilio Pagán to open the year as Cincinnati’s closer. There’s still time for Díaz to turn things around, but it wouldn’t be shocking if Francona is unwilling to trust him in high-leverage spots at the outset of the regular season.

The trade is now official. Rogers provides Cincinnati with an experienced setup option to bridge the gap to fire-balling closer Alexis Díaz. The 34-year-old southpaw leaves his twin brother, Tyler, behind in San Francisco after a stellar two-year run where he compiled a strong 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 128/47 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings (124 appearances) during that span. He’d be the favorite for saves with the Reds if Díaz wound up hitting the injured list, which keeps him on fantasy manager’s radar screens entering next season.

Rogers represents an interesting addition for Cincinnati’s high-leverage mix to help bridge the gap to closer Alexis Díaz before hitting free agency next offseason. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw has averaged 63 relief appearances over the past three years and posted a strong 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 128/47 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings (124 appearances) over the past two seasons for San Francisco.