Reds reliever Ian Gibaut hoping to return this year after AIN (nerve) procedure

Cincinnati Reds reliever Ian Gibaut had surgery to address lingering pain in his forearm, and Reds manager David Bell said that the hope is that Gibaut will return this season.

Following two rehab assignments that ended due to forearm discomfort, Gibaut had an AIN (nerve) release.

Last year, Gibaut was the Reds’ most consistent setup reliever behind closer Alexis Díaz. Gibaut posted a 3.33 ERA and made 74 appearances, which was the fifth-most in baseball.

Gibaut experienced forearm discomfort during spring training. He was hopeful to be ready for the start of the season. While that didn’t happen, he started a rehab assignment on April 5 and was targeting a return around April 20.

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Gibaut was then pulled from his rehab assignment due to forearm discomfort. He started another rehab assignment in late April but then suffered another setback.

This year, Fernando Cruz has filled Gibaut’s role in the back of the bullpen. The Reds signed five relievers to big league contracts in free agency, and that group of pitchers has helped fill out the Reds’ depth.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds' Ian Gibaut has AIN (nerve) release to address forearm pain