Cincinnati Reds Re-Sign High Leverage Reliever

Bringing him back.

The Cincinnati Reds have re-signed pitcher Hunter Strickland to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

The #Reds and RHP Hunter Strickland have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League camp.

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 18, 2023

Strickland began the 2022 season as the Reds' primary closer, but eventually lost the role to hard-throwing rookie Alexis Diaz in the second half of the season.

Diaz has already been confirmed as the Reds closer for this upcoming season, so Strickland will likely function as a high-leverage option.

In his Reds debut last season, the thirty-four-year-old posted an underwhelming 4.91 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, with 60 strikeouts across 62.1 innings of work. He made 66 relief appearances, finished 35 games and converted seven saves.

He's entering his 10th major league season.

For his career, Strickland holds a decent 3.41 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, with 351 strikeouts across 374.2 innings. 

He's been quite the journeyman during his career, spending the first five seasons of his career with the San Francisco Giants, before spending one year each with the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers.

However, he'll break that streak as he enters his second season with the Reds.
Photo Credit:  Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK