The 2025-26 MLB offseason hasn’t officially begun yet, but the Cincinnati Reds made an early move on Tuesday by reinstating Ian Gibaut from the 60-day injured list and then removing him from the 40-man roster. The right-handed reliever can now either accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville or decline and test free agency.
Gibaut began last spring as a non-roster invitee but impressed enough during camp in Goodyear to earn a spot on the Reds’ Opening Day roster. He’s perhaps best remembered for blowing a save in the season opener against the San Francisco Giants, and injuries limited his availability for much of the year.
A right shoulder impingement sidelined Gibaut at the end of April, placing him on the 15-day IL. After returning roughly a month later, he re-injured the same shoulder in late June, ending his season prematurely. He ultimately made 25 relief appearances, finishing with a 4.62 ERA.
While Gibaut is likely to remain in the organization by accepting the outright assignment, his more than three years of MLB service time give him the option to enter free agency this winter in search of a new opportunity.
His removal from the Reds’ 40-man roster could be the first of several bullpen changes this offseason. Nick Martinez and Emilio Pagán are both free agents, while the team must decide whether to pick up the club options on Scott Barlow and Brent Suter.
Several other relievers — Lyon Richardson, Reiver Sanmartin, Sam Moll, and Yosver Zulueta — also sit on the roster bubble after contributing in 2025. Despite the bullpen being one of Cincinnati’s bright spots this past season, fans should anticipate a much different relief unit by the time spring training rolls around next February.
