The Cincinnati Reds signed Yunior Marte on Tuesday.
The Cincinnati Reds have reached an agreement with right-handed reliever Yunior Marte on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, according to Francys Romero.
If Marte earns a spot on the Opening Day roster, he will secure a $1.05 million base salary, giving Cincinnati a low-risk option with potential upside as they continue to shape their bullpen for 2026.
Marte is returning to MLB after spending the 2025 season overseas with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball. The Dominican-born pitcher split time between the Dragons’ top-level roster and their minor league affiliate, delivering a strong showing in Japan. Across 32 1/3 innings at the highest level, he posted a 1.95 ERA while recording two saves and 11 holds.
Before heading to Japan, Marte pitched in the majors from 2022 through 2024. He broke in with the San Francisco Giants, making 39 appearances as a rookie, then spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies as a middle reliever. His strikeout rate in the majors was below average at 20.1% across 102 appearances, and he owns a career 5.64 ERA in 113 1/3 innings. While the raw stuff is there, consistency has been the challenge — something the Reds hope he can refine with another opportunity.
Cincinnati’s bullpen already features a solid late-inning core. Relief pitcher Emilio Pagan, who was re-signed earlier this offseason on a two-year deal worth $20 million, is expected to handle closing duties once again, while Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Connor Phillips and Caleb Ferguson provide depth in setup and high-leverage roles. Still, the Reds have openings in the middle innings and lack extensive minor league relief depth, making Marte’s addition a sensible move.
With spring training approaching, the competition for bullpen spots will be wide open, and Marte’s power arm could give him a path back to the majors if he shows improved command and consistency.
Beyond the bullpen, the Reds enter 2026 with optimism after an offseason that has reshaped their roster. The front office has emphasized depth and versatility, aiming to build on last year’s progress and push further into playoff contention.
With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent, Cincinnati believes it is positioned to contend in the NL Central. For Marte, the opportunity with the Reds represents both a fresh start and a chance to prove he can be a reliable contributor in a competitive bullpen environment.