Overview
- Closer Emilio Pagán, who felt tightness in his left hamstring after Tuesday’s 2-1 win over the Giants, played catch Wednesday with no pain and showed no bruising in team checks.
- Terry Francona called the progress encouraging and said trainers will gauge how Pagán feels after he cools down from his pregame workout.
- If Pagán rests for a few days, eighth-inning reliever Tony Santillan is the likely short-term choice to close, according to team officials and recent usage.
- Starter Brady Singer, hit on the top of his right foot in the sixth inning Tuesday, had negative X-rays and was walking normally by Wednesday.
- Pagán is tied for second in MLB with five saves and returned on a two-year, $20 million deal, underscoring how his health shapes Cincinnati’s early push after a 2025 playoff berth.