Reds' bullpen picture creates an opening few fans expected

Even before Emilio Pagán was brought back into the fold, the Cincinnati Reds had a host of late-inning, high-leverage options. Tony Santillan, for example, could easily have stepped into the closer role (and still may do so in future seasons), and Pagán himself has praised Connor Phillips as a future shutdown reliever. It’s safe to say that the competition at the back of the bullpen will be hot. As for long relief, that’s a different story.

The projected roster doesn’t really have a long relief option. FanGraphs’ depth chart features Sam Moll in the role, but he’s more of a lefty specialist and has never averaged more than one inning per game during his big-league career. One non-roster invite, though, fits the bill. Now’s the time for Lyon Richardson to finally stake his claim to a spot in the bullpen.

The Reds’ glut of high-leverage relievers could open a path for Lyon Richardson in long relief

Richardson has experience in the majors already. Across three seasons, he has appeared in 39 games. In 2025, the Reds transitioned him from a starter to a reliever, and the position change allowed the right-hander to be more effective. He reduced his walk rate and increased his strikeout rate at both Triple-A and in the majors. His sinker-changeup combo generated ground balls at an exceptional clip.

If Richardson makes his way first back onto the 40-man and then on the Opening Day roster, it will be a significant accomplishment. In January, the Reds DFA’d him and then outrighted him to Triple-A Louisville to make room for Dane Myers. He may have to wrestle a 40-man spot away from fellow relievers on the bubble — Moll, Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey. Richardson, though, has the resilience and the stuff to do it.

Richardson has been working to break through in the majors for nearly a decade. He was a second-round pick out of high school, and at 26, he’s literally and figuratively out of options. His ability to log multiple innings, to keep the ball on the ground, and to perform even amid the most chaotic circumstances, as he did after a whirlwind trip to be the 27th man at the Speedway Classic, could put him in position to make the most of 2026.