Overview
- The Cincinnati Reds named Joe Torres their major‑league pitching coach after announcing that Derek Johnson will not return for 2027.
- Torres spent his entire pro coaching career with the Cleveland Guardians and served five seasons as their assistant pitching coach working under managers including Terry Francona.
- Cleveland finished in MLB's top 10 in ERA each season while Torres was on staff, a key reason the Reds targeted him to improve run prevention and strikeout performance.
- Cincinnati's 2026 staff fell to a 4.83 ERA, led the majors with 668 walks and ranked fourth in hit‑by‑pitches, creating urgent needs in both the rotation and the bullpen.
- The roster outlook calls for at least one more starter to join a group led by All‑Star Chase Burns and a likely bullpen overhaul after the departures of Emilio Pagán, Brock Burke and Pierce Johnson plus injury recoveries for Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft.