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
GettyDENVER, CO – JULY 10: Relief pitcher Andrew Chafin #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers to home plate during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 10, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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.”
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 16: Andrew Chafin #39 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Athletics during the bottom of the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on August 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)
Chafin’s MLB Career
GettyPHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 17: Starting pitcher Patrick Corbin #46 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is dunked with gatorade by Andrew Chafin #40 and Archie Bradley #25 after pitching a compete game shut-out against the San Francisco Giants the MLB game at Chase Field on April 17, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 1-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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”
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 27: Andrew Chafin #39 of the Chicago Cubs pitches for a save in the 9th inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 27, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the White Sox 10-8. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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
GettyMILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 24: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on in the fifth inning during an exhibition game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on March 24, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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.
Cincinnati Reds Organization Signs 12-Year MLB Player Before Red Sox Game