The Cincinnati Reds made a series of interesting roster moves on Friday prior to the final home series of the season at Great American Ball Park.
Chief among them was claiming the versatile Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the New York Yankees, who had designated him for assignment earlier in the week. Now 27, Cabrera is a switch-hitter with experience all over the diamond, though his bat has yet to live up to the 108 OPS+ he posted in a 171 PA first cup of coffee at the big league level back in 2022.
Since then, he’s hit just .232/.291/.328 in 778 PA across a trio of seasons, and he entered his arbitration years for the first time in 2026 at a modest $1.2 million salary.
He’s got an option remaining, though, and as a switch-hitter profiles as a pretty great final roster piece with at least a modicum of upside. He’s got an option remaining, too, so it’s likely this is a move the Reds made with eyes on 2027 as much as the final two weeks of this season.
That wasn’t the only action on the roster, however. Julian Aguiar was recalled for the first time since his Tommy John surgery, and he’ll be taking the spot on the roster previously occupied by Julian Garcia. The latter’s season is over as he is going to have surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. Adding Aguiar brings another arm with starting experience (and length), and considering that was done a) on the day Chase Burns is set to start and b) after Brandon Williamson was already used this week, my best guess is we’ll see Aguiar in bulk after Burns exits early at his pitch limit tonight.
Spencer Steer was moved to the 60-day IL to free up the other needed 40-man roster spot.
