CHICAGO – The moment Emilio Pagán felt his left hamstring pop on the first pitch of the ninth inning Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, he knew something was wrong. As the Reds closer was carted off the field, a flood of emotions washed over him—not just pain, but a deep sense of responsibility.

“I feel like I’m letting a lot of people down,” Pagán said after learning Wednesday he’d suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain. The diagnosis brought some relief: he’s expected to miss 4-to-8 weeks, with a potential return before the All-Star break. But for a pitcher who thrives on accountability, the timeline still stings.

“The organization, front office, management invested a lot in me to be here,” said Pagán, a veteran right-hander who joined the Reds in 2024. “I believe in myself. That’s why I wanted to push through—to help the team win as many games as possible.”

That mindset has made Pagán a respected mentor in the bullpen and clubhouse. His teammates and coaches appreciate not just his arm, but his heart. When he fell to the grass in pain Tuesday, clutching his hamstring and punching the ground in frustration, manager Terry Francona saw something deeper.

“He was so emotional he’s apologizing,” Francona recalled. “It’s amazing how quickly you go from knowing the score to, ‘We’ve got to take care of this kid.’ He embodies so much of what we care about here.”

The Reds are eyeing a division title and a second straight playoff berth, and Pagán’s absence leaves a gap on the mound. But Francona isn’t looking for a single replacement. Instead, he plans to mix and match with his leverage-relief crew, spreading the responsibility across the bullpen.

For Pagán, the drive to return isn’t just about personal stats—it’s about a shared goal. “I want to help this team win,” he said. And that’s the kind of spirit that fuels a playoff push.