Cincinnati Reds re-sign RHP Tony Santillan to minor-league deal with invitation to spring.
One day after the World Series, on the first official day of baseball's offseason, the Cincinnati Reds have signed their first free agent bullpen pitcher of the winter.
Sort of.
Tony Santillan, the reliever who made three appearances for the Reds this summer between a series of injuries, has re-signed with the club on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training, the team announced Thursday.
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The right-hander had been off the Reds roster since being designated for assignment Aug. 29 and eventually outrighted to Triple-A Louisville.
Santillan, the Reds’ second-round draft pick in 2015, gave up one run in 3 1/3 innings (2.70 ERA) across three 2023 appearances in July for the Reds.
He has a 3.60 ERA with 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 50 career appearances with the Reds since debuting in June 2021.
Back, knee and hamstring injuries sidelined Santillan, 26, much of 2023, a season in which the Reds' bullpen became one of the heaviest worked, highest-performing bullpens in the majors – the unsung heroes of the team's unexpected surge into playoff position.
One of those heavily used pitchers, right-hander Buck Farmer (4.20 ERA, 71 games), officially became a free agent Thursday, along with outfielder Harrison Bader, who was acquired on waivers Aug. 31.
Stay tuned for a decision on Joey Votto's $20 million contract option for 2024 ($7 million buyout). Monday is the deadline for that decision.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tony Santillan returns to Cincinnati Reds on minor-league deal
