Reds Re-Sign Veteran Pitcher; Released Him Last Week


Veteran right-hander Hunter Strickland has had a rollercoaster ride in the offseason with the Cincinnati Reds.

After signing a minor league contract with the team last month, Strickland was released last week when he failed to make the opening day roster. However, the Reds have re-signed him and he will now provide relief depth at Triple-A Louisville.

Strickland appeared in 66 games for the Reds last season, recording seven saves but had a lackluster 4.91 ERA. Despite returning to the team as a non-roster invitee this spring, the 34-year-old failed to secure a spot on the team's opening roster.

During the Cactus League this spring, Strickland had nine appearances, allowing 10 runs on 13 hits with an unimpressive 8/3 K/BB ratio over nine innings.

In the 2022 season, Strickland began as the Reds' primary closer but eventually lost the role to rookie Alexis Diaz in the second half of the season.

This season will be his 10th in the major leagues, having had a journeyman career so far. Strickland spent his first five seasons with the San Francisco Giants before playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Despite some ups and downs, Strickland has a respectable career ERA of 3.41, a 1.25 WHIP, and 351 strikeouts across 374.2 innings.

It remains to be seen if he will be able to make it back to the major leagues with the Reds, but he will continue to provide depth for the organization. Photo Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK