Reds Bullpen Outlook: Which Relievers Will Return in 2027?

The Cincinnati Reds had a pretty poor bullpen in the 2026 season, ranking 25th in bullpen ERA at 4.68, the worst in the NL Central, just behind the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Cincinnati traded left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson at the trade deadline and designated lefty Sam Moll for assignment near the end of the year. 

Let’s look at the most important relief pitchers the Reds used this season, where they stand contractually with Cincinnati, and their chances of being with the team in 2027, granted there is a season. 

Emilio Pagan

Pagan posted a 3.38 ERA in a season where he battled injury, missing more than a month with a hamstring issue he suffered in May. But when he returned and finished the season, Pagan was one of the league's better relievers. 

In 30 appearances from July 1 to September 24, Pagan threw 28.2 innings and posted a 1.88 ERA with a 34-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Pagan has a $10 million player option after this season, and he will be 36 in 2027. Near the end of the season, Pagan said he wants to pitch in more meaningful games in the future so he can decline the player option and sign with a contender next season, which I think will happen. 

Tony Santillan

Santillan had an up-and-down season and struggled when inserted into the Reds' high-leverage, late-game relief roles in Pagan’s absence. 

He finished with a 6.42 ERA and was on the 15-day IL at season's end for surgery on a left hip labral tear. His return timeline is to be determined. He will be 30 just after opening day next season and is projected to be one of the Reds' more important relievers. Santillan is arbitration-eligible and, according to MLB Trade Rumors, is expected to make $2.5 million. 

Pierce Johnson

Johnson was solid for the Reds in 2026, posting a 4.62 ERA over 48.2 innings in his first season. He had a 1.93 ERA in April and a 2.70 in May, before struggling the rest of the way. 

Johnson has a mutual option this offseason for $8 million, and it makes sense for both the Reds and Johnson to accept it and keep him in a Reds uniform next season. 

Graham Ashcraft

Ashcraft couldn’t stay healthy in 2026, landing on the IL in late May and not returning until September. He posted a 4.08 ERA in 35 games and is projected to earn $2.2 million in arbitration this offseason. 

Brock Burke

Burke was a deadline trade candidate because he was on a one-year deal, but he stayed with the Reds and was their best reliever of the season, with a 2.30 ERA in 77 games and 74 strikeouts. 

He will be a free agent this offseason, and it's smart for the Reds to try to retain him, as he could be their premier left-handed reliever next season. You have to think Cincinnati didn’t trade him because they wanted an inside track to sign him this offseason, and that is my expectation. 

Tejay Antone

Antone is arbitration-eligible after this season, with 58 games and a 3.11 ERA in 2026. He returned to baseball in 2025, underwent his third Tommy John surgery, and made 15 minor-league appearances. He was Cincinnati’s eighth-inning guy, making 26 appearances in that role in 2026. 

Antone has been with Cincinnati since 2020, so it makes sense that he would return to the Reds after a great 2026 season with high expectations.