Reds add intriguing lefty arm that could pay off in big way

The Cincinnati Reds lost left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson to the injured list with an oblique injury. The veteran hurler will be sidelined for at least the next couple of week, so on Friday, the Reds decided to add another southpaw to the roster and signed veteran left-hander Andrew Chafin to a minoor-league contract.

Chafin will begin his time with the Reds' organization down on the farm in Louisville. It's a good bet this new contract contains an opt out, and if Cincinnati doesn't select his contract before a certain date, he'll likely then have the ability to re-enter the free agent market.

Reds add left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin on MiLB deal

Chafin is a soft-tossing lefty whose fastball barely touches 90 mph. He relies much more on sfot contact and will induce chase with his breaking balls. Chafin has a four-pitch mix that includes a sinker and a slider, and even on rare occasions, a changeup.

The left-hander split last season between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels, and in total, has pitched for eight different Major League organizations over a 12-year career in the bigs. He owns a 3.35 ERA and has been an absolute workhorse over the past four seasons.

Since 2022, Chafin has logged 231 appearances while posting a collective 3.44 ERA. His biggest flaw of late has been walks. Last season he allowed 19 free passes in less than 40 innings of work and posted a rather unsightly 13.3% walk rate.

Chafin spent this spring with the Minnesota Twins, but was released rather than added to the team's Opening Day roster. In six Grapefruit League appearances with Minnesota, Chafin owned a 3.00 ERA, having allowed two runs on four hits in six innings of work. He recorded six punch outs and had three walks.

Chafin will likely stay in Louisville until the opportunity arises. If he finds success, he could be a replacement for Sam Moll in the Reds bullpen. At the moment, Moll and Brock Burke are Cincinnati's lone left-handed relievers.