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Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán collapsed to the ground with an injury after throwing just one pitch Tuesday.
Pagán was pitching in the bottom of the ninth inning in 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 jumping off the mound while grabbing the back of his left leg.
He did a few more awkward jumps before falling to the ground and immediately grabbing his left hamstring with both hands. He was eventually helped to his feet by trainers, but was unable to put any weight on the leg and was ultimately carried 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 an integral part of what we do,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “He’s struggling right now and we need to be there for him.”
Reds reliever Jose Franco replaced Pagan and walked Hoerner, but ultimately got out of the inning unscathed, sending the game into extra innings at 2-2 before finally losing in the 10th inning.
Pagan had an issue with that same hamstring on the final pitch of the Reds’ 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants last month, but said it wasn’t as bad as he feared the next day.
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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 on May 5, 2026. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)
Francona said Pagan hasn’t felt the hamstring problem since then.
“I just went to see him,” Francona said. “He said he didn’t feel it. He said he warmed up well. He said, ‘I would never do that.’ I believe it.”
Pagán played a major role in the Reds’ success last season, as in 70 games he recorded 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA. This season has been more difficult 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 after 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 try to get their first victory of their four-game series against the Cubs (24-12) on Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. ET.
