Reds trade scrappy outfielder fans truly admired for intriguing Pirates reliever

The Cincinnati Reds acquired right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for utility outfielder Tyler Callihan. Nicolas, a hard-throwing right-hander, appeared in 31 games for the Buccos last season and posted a 4.74 ERA across 38 innings of work.

Nicolas is pre-arbitration eligible, won't reach free agency until 2031, and has minor-league options remaining — all things that fit neatly into the Reds organization. While fans are undoubtedly sad to see Callihan leave — he's a hard-nosed player who gave it his all last season and has the scars to prove it — he really didn't have a spot on the Reds roster heading into the upcoming season.

Reds trade Tyler Callihan to Pirates for relief help

Nicolas is unlikely to break through and be part of Cincinnati's Opening Day bullpen, but he certainly adds a measure of depth to the relief corps. The former second-round pick is from Massillon, Ohio and has 86 games of Major League experience under his belt. He's a hard-thower — able to dial it up to the upper 90s on the radar gun — and had a 29.4% whiff rate last season in Pittsburgh.

He'll join a crowded group jockeying for the final spot in the Reds bullpen. Currently, the competition seems to be between veteran reliever Tejay Antone and left-hander Sam Moll. Nicolas likely slots along the likes of fellow fireballers Luis Mey and Zach Maxwell.

Callihan was the Reds third-round pick back in 2019 and battled injury after injury before finally making his Major League debut in 2025. Unfortuantely, his time in the bigs only lasted four games. Most Reds fans will remember that fateful night when Callihan crashed into the wall along left field line at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Callihan underwent surgery last May to repair two broken bones in his forearm, but needed further surgery after that and was unable to return to the field in 2025. He arrived at spring camp ready to go, but felt like a fringe player who might be able to weasel his way onto the roster at various points throughout the season if injuries popped up. Instead, he's now headed to the Steel City.