Reds activate forgotten offseason trade piece to quietly boost bullpen depth

The Cincinnati Reds needed to add an extra arm to their bullpen after Rhett Lowder's abbreviated outing in Miami caused Terry Francona to burn through some of his relief pitchers. Ahead of Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, the Reds recalled Kyle Nicolas from Triple-A Louisville and optioned right-hander Jose Franco back to the minor leagues.

Nicolas was part of the Pittsburgh Pirates roster throughout most of the season, but a spring trade with their NL Central Division rivals brought the right-hander to Cincinnati.

Nicolas, however, was playing for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic at the time of the transaction, so the Reds coaching staff didn't get a long look at the hard-throwing Ohio native during spring training. Despite Nicolas' high-octane arm, he was left off the Opening Day roster.

Reds activate Kyle Nicolas, option Jose Franco

Nicolas spent some time coming out of the Louisville Bats bullpen to begin his 2026 campaign. In four relief appearances this spring, he's posted a 2.08 ERA with seven strikeouts and two walks over 4⅓ innings pitched.

Franco was near-flawless to start the season. The Reds rookie logged 3⅓ innings and didn't allow a single runner to dent the plate through his first two appearances. But during the series finale against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, Franco was rocked for three runs on four hits. He walked four batters and struck out just two over two innings of work after coming on for Brock Burke during the bottom of the seventh inning.

Franco will head back to Triple-A Louisville, and likely remain stretched out as a starter — though Bats' manager Pat Kelly could also use him as a long reliever out of the bullpen.

Franco's contract was selected before the Rule 5 Draft, and most fans will remember that he was a last-minute addition to the Reds Opening Day roster after both Caleb Ferguson and Nick Lodolo suffered injuries late in camp that forced Cincinnati to place them on the 15-day IL.

There was no shortage of talented young arms for the Reds to choose from, but both Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey have endured some struggles early on. Both Andrew Chafin and Tejay Antone have pitched well for the Bats, but adding either player to the active roster would require Cincinnati to make a corresponding move.