Giants trade Taylor Rogers to Reds

The Cincinnati Reds acquired left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers and cash from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitching prospect Braxton Roxby, the teams announced Wednesday.

The amount of cash being sent to the Reds was not revealed. It will presumably cover a portion of Rogers' $12 million salary.

To make room for Rogers on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati designated right-hander Owen White for assignment.

Rogers, who's entering the final season of a three-year contract, posted a 2.40 ERA, 3.75 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP with 64 strikeouts in 64 appearances with the Giants last year. While he issued just 22 walks, his 9.6 K/9 rate marked a drop of nearly two full batters from 2023, and it was the first time it's dipped below 10 since 2018.

The 34-year-old has been a stable presence out of the bullpen throughout his career, making 60-plus appearances in each of the last three seasons. Over that span, he's rarely issued free passes: His career 2.60 BB/9 rate ranks third among relievers with at least 450 innings pitched since 2016.

Rogers has shut down left-handed hitters throughout his career, holding them to a lifetime .544 OPS compared to righties' .743 mark. However, lefties reversed those trends in 2024, hitting .284/.365/.421 against him.

The 2021 All-Star gives the Reds another late-inning option behind closer Alexis Díaz, perhaps in a set-up role alongside Emilio Pagán. He's the third lefty in Cincinnati's bullpen, joining Brent Suter and Sam Moll.

The trade leaves San Francisco with just three left-handed pitchers - starters Robbie Ray and Kyle Harrison as well as reliever Erik Miller - on its 40-man roster.

Roxby, a right-handed reliever who's yet to pitch in the majors, was not ranked among the Reds' top 30 prospects by Baseball America. The 25-year-old put up a 5.21 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 39 appearances at Double-A in 2024, but allowed just two homers and struck out 65 for a 12.1 K/9 rate in 48 1/3 innings.