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Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán went down due to an injury after throwing just one pitch Tuesday.
Pagán was pitching during the bottom of the ninth inning of the Reds’ 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Pagán threw an 87 mph cutter to second baseman Nico Hoerner and immediately began jumping off the mound while clutching the back of his left leg.
He took another couple of awkward jumps before falling to the ground and immediately grabbed his left hamstring with both hands. Trainers eventually helped him to his feet, but he was unable to put any weight on his leg and was eventually carried off the field.
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Cincinnati Reds reliever Emilio Pagán is helped by team trainers after an injury during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Illinois, on May 5, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)
“He’s an integral part of what we do,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “He’s struggling right now and we have to be there for him.”
Reds reliever José Franco replaced Pagán and walked Hoerner, but ultimately emerged from the inning unscathed, sending the game into extra innings with a score of 2-2 before they finally lost in the 10th inning.
Pagán had a problem with the same hamstring on the final pitch of the Reds’ 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants last month, but said it wasn’t as bad as he feared the next day.
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Cincinnati Reds reliever Emilio Pagán lies on the field after an injury during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Illinois, on May 5, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)
Francona said Pagán had not felt the hamstring problem since then.
“I just went and saw it,” Francona said. “He said he didn’t feel it. He said he warmed up well. And he said, ‘I would never do that.’ I believe him.”
Pagán was a big part of the Reds’ success last season, as in 70 games he recorded 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA. This season has been more difficult for the 34-year-old.
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Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona talks with reliever Emilio Pagán as Pagan leaves the field after an injury during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Illinois, on May 5, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)
In 15 games, Pagán has a 6.43 ERA with six saves and three blown saves.
The Reds (20-16) will look to get their first win of their four-game series against the Cubs (24-12) on Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. ET.
