The Cincinnati Reds are bringing back left-handed reliever Alex Young for the 2025 season. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Young is signing a minor league deal and receiving an invitation to big league spring training.
Young debuted in the majors in 2019 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and remained with the team until July 2021, when he was claimed off waivers by Cleveland. He pitched for Cleveland under current Reds manager Terry Francona until July 2022, when the San Francisco Giants purchased his contract. After becoming a free agent that offseason, Young signed with the Reds.
In 2023, Young performed well, recording a 3.86 ERA (121 ERA+, indicating his ERA was 21% better than league average when adjusted for ballpark factors) over 63 appearances and 53.2 innings. He allowed 20 walks, struck out 50 batters, and gave up 10 home runs.
Young’s 2024 season began on the injured list due to low back disc degeneration, sidelining him for five weeks. After a Triple-A rehab assignment, he was activated and appeared in three games for the Reds, pitching 2.0 innings against the Cardinals and Cubs before being optioned back to the minors. Following a stint with Louisville, the Reds traded him to the Giants, who subsequently lost him to the Mets on waivers 10 days later.
With the Mets, Young split his time between the majors and Triple-A. In 14 MLB appearances, he posted a 3.29 ERA over 13.2 innings, with seven walks and 13 strikeouts. Combined with his 2.0 innings for the Reds, Young finished the 2024 MLB season with a 2.87 ERA. In Triple-A, he pitched 32.0 innings across three organizations, maintaining a 2.81 ERA.
Now returning to Cincinnati on a minor league deal, Young could have an opt-out clause late in spring training, a common feature for experienced players like the 31-year-old.
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