The Cincinnati Reds may be forced to navigate the late innings without their closer for the foreseeable future after Emilio Pagán suffered a devastating hamstring injury during Tuesday night's matchup against the Chicago Cubs.

It took just one pitch for the night to unravel. In the bottom of the ninth inning of a tight 2-2 game, Pagán delivered a single offering to Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner and immediately grabbed at his left hamstring. The same muscle had bothered him earlier in the 2026 season, but this time, the reaction told a far more serious story.

Trainers rushed to the mound, and it quickly became clear that Pagán couldn't put any weight on his leg. The bullpen cart had to be summoned to carry him off the field, a sight no team wants to see, especially in the heat of a divisional battle. Right-hander José Franco was called in to take over in what was the second game of this long-standing National League Central rivalry.

For a Reds bullpen that has leaned heavily on Pagán's experience and arm in high-leverage spots, this is a significant blow. While the team awaits further evaluation, early signs point to an extended absence. Our thoughts are with Pagán as he begins his recovery, and we'll be watching closely to see how Cincinnati adjusts its relief corps in his absence.