The Cincinnati Reds will start the 2025 season without reliever Alexis DÃaz. The right-hander suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the spring, delaying his preparation and ultimately preventing him from being ready for Opening Day.
As a result, Terry Francona currently has no set closer. To begin the season, he will likely adopt a closer-by-committee strategy, but if DÃaz’s recovery takes longer than expected, he may need to find a more permanent solution for the back end of the bullpen.
The Reds have eight relievers on their roster, several with closing experience. While Brent Suter and Ian Gibaut are unlikely to take on the role, other options are available. So, who would be Francona’s best choice to take the mound in the ninth inning with the lead as the 2025 season begins?
Ranking Terry Francona’s top options to replace injured Reds closer Alexis Diaz
5. Graham Ashcraft, Reds right-handed pitcher
Ashcraft certainly has the qualities to step in as the Reds’ closer while DÃaz is out. Many fans praise his “bulldog mentality,” which, along with his cutter, could make him a strong fit for the role. However, before relying on him in high-pressure, late-game situations, the Reds should give him time to adjust and get comfortable in his new position.
4. Taylor Rogers, Reds left-handed pitcher
Rogers isn’t a bad choice, particularly in favorable matchups. However, last season he had reverse splits, making him less ideal for lefty-on-lefty situations. He leans on his sinker-sweeper combination to induce weak contact rather than generate swings and misses. Given his skill set, the southpaw may be better suited for seventh- and eighth-inning roles rather than closing out games.
3. Scott Barlow, Reds right-handed pitcher
Barlow notched 24 saves in 2022, benefiting from above-average velocity and a strong ability to generate swings and misses on his breaking pitches. However, he no longer gets hitters to chase as frequently, and his fastball has lost some of its effectiveness. While his ability to induce ground balls and limit hard contact is impressive, his 12.9% walk rate last season makes him a risky option in high-pressure, late-game situations.
2. Tony Santillan, Reds right-handed pitcher
Few pitchers on the Reds’ staff can match Santillan’s velocity. The imposing right-hander regularly hits the upper 90s and posted an impressive 37.7% strikeout rate in 2024. While he has the potential to take over as the closer, Francona may lean toward a more experienced option to start the season.
1. Emilio Pagán, Reds right-handed pitcher
Pagán dealt with injuries early in his Reds tenure but finished the 2024 season strong. This spring, he allowed just one run over four outings while striking out five of the 17 batters he faced. If you exclude his final two appearances against the Cleveland Guardians last season, Pagán posted a 2.25 ERA, 2.42 FIP, and tallied 17 strikeouts after returning from the IL in August—showcasing his potential as a key bullpen piece.
