Cincinnati Reds Organization Signs 12-Year MLB Player Before Red Sox Game

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CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 13: Terry Francona #77 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on from the dugout during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on July 13, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Francona became the 13th manager in major league history to reach 2,000 wins. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

On Saturday afternoon, the Cincinnati Reds will host the Boston Red Sox for their second game of the new season.

The Reds are coming off a 3-0 loss (to the Red Sox) on Thursday.

Reds Organization Adds 12-Year MLB Player

Before Saturday’s game, the Reds signed veteran pitcher Andrew Chafin to a minor league deal.

Chafin spent the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals.

He went 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA in 42 games.

Charlie Goldsmith (of Charlie’s Chalkboard newsletter) wrote on Friday: “The minor league transactions log shows the Reds have signed to a minor league deal veteran lefty Andrew Chafin.

He has been dealt at the deadline in each of the last three years as competitive teams wanted him. He posted a 2.94 ERA last year in 42 big league appearances. He was in spring training with the Twins.”

Chafin’s MLB Career

Chafin was the 43rd pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.

He has played 12 seasons for the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers (in addition to the Angels and Nationals).

During the 2021 season (with the Athletics and Cubs), Chafin went 2-4 with a 1.83 ERA in 71 games.

Dusty Baker of WAVE wrote (on Friday): “Andrew Chafin has signed a minor league deal with Reds and is here in Louisville and will be available to pitch tonight. #Reds #Louisville”

Here’s what people were saying on social media:

@SadOSUhoopsFan: “Getting him on a minor league deal is actually amazing. Good work. Pitching depth is important and he’s a legit mlb caliber arm still”

@bryce_spalding: “Not mad about that one, at all.”

@CoachGillespie1: “Seems odd that he would be available. What’s the drawback here?”

@BrendanHase: “I mean, you like to see them trying. low risk high upside signings like this to address an area of concern is all you can ask from any ball club with the reds bankroll”

Reds Right Now

Following the Red Sox, the Reds will play the host the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 30.

They lost in Wild Card round of the 2025 MLB playoffs.