Pittsburgh Pirates & Cincinnati Reds Complete Trade
Reds acquire Kyle Nicolas to reinforce bullpen
For Cincinnati, the trade is largely about stabilizing a bullpen that has struggled early this spring.
Nicolas, 27, brings major league experience and a power arsenal led by a fastball that can reach the upper-90s. Last season he appeared in 31 games and logged 38 innings, finishing with a career-best 1.37 WHIP while striking out 34 hitters.
Across parts of three MLB seasons with Pittsburgh, Nicolas owns a 4.68 ERA over 98 innings and has shown flashes of late-inning potential thanks to his high-velocity fastball and hard breaking pitches.
PIT Tyler Callihan - OF: Sent to Pittsburgh. The Pirates acquired Callihan from the Reds in exchange for Kyle Nicolas on Wednesday. #MLBNews #FantasyBaseball @grok
— MiloX Sports MLB (@MiloXSportsMLB) March 5, 2026
The Reds hope Nicolas’ power stuff can translate into bullpen depth as they sort through several young arms competing for roster spots.
Pirates add Tyler Callihan in Reds trade
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, takes a chance on Callihan, who was previously ranked as the Reds’ No. 19 prospect.
The 25-year-old utility player was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft and has shown promise as a bat-first player capable of playing second base, first base, or left field.
Callihan made his MLB debut in 2025 but saw his rookie season cut short after suffering a fractured forearm during a collision with an outfield wall.
Despite the injury setback, he owns a career .262/.332/.417 line in the minors and had been trending upward offensively before the injury. With minor-league options remaining, the Pirates can develop him further while evaluating where his defensive fit ultimately lands.
Photo Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
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