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Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán crumpled to the ground with an injury after throwing just one pitch on Tuesday.
Pagán pitched during the bottom of the ninth inning of the Reds’ 3–2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Pagan threw an 87 mph cutter to second baseman Nico Hoerner and immediately began bouncing off the mound, clutching the back of his left leg.
He took another couple of awkward jumps before falling to the ground and immediately grabbing his left thigh with both hands. He was eventually helped back to his feet by trainers, but was unable to put weight on the leg and was eventually carted off the field.
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Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan is helped by team trainers after an injury during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Illinois, May 5, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)
“He’s such an integral part of what we do,” Reds coach Terry Francona said. “He’s struggling right now and we’ve got to be there for him.”
Reds reliever Jose Franco replaced Pagan and walked Hoerner, but eventually got out of the inning unscathed and sent the game to extra innings tied 2-2 before eventually losing in the 10th inning.
Pagan had a problem with the same hamstring on the last pitch of the Reds’ 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants last month, but said the next day it wasn’t as serious as he feared.
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Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan lies on the field after an injury during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Illinois, May 5, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)
Francona said Pagan hadn’t felt the hoarding problem since then.
“I just went over and saw him,” Francona said. “He said he hadn’t felt it. He said he warmed up fine. He says, ‘I would never do that.’ I believe him.”
Pagán was a big part of the Reds’ success last season, recording 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA in 70 games. This season has been more of a struggle for the 34-year-old.
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Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona talks with relief pitcher Emilio Pagán as Pagan leaves the field following an injury during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Illinois, May 5, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)
In 15 games, Pagan has a 6.43 ERA with six saves and three blown saves.
The Reds (20-16) will look to get their first win in their four-game series against the Cubs (24-12) on Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. ET.
