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Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio PagĂĄn suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain but aims to return before the All-Star break. He feels a strong sense of responsibility to help his team compete for a division title and a playoff spot.
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CHICAGO â Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio PagĂĄn said the emotions flooded his mind Tuesday night as he rode on a cart that carried him from the field after suffering a painful pop in his hamstring.
âI thought my season was done,â he said.
It made the diagnosis Wednesday, May 6 of a Grade 2 strain at least more palatable, knowing he should be back this season, maybe before the All-Star break.
But he still talked like a guy struggling to shake a sense of responsibility to a team that expects to be in play for a division title and that talks even more confidently about a second straight playoff berth.
âI feel like Iâm letting a lot of people down,â said PagĂĄn, who felt the left hamstring pop on the first pitch he threw in the ninth inning of a 2-2 game Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
Closer Emilio Pagan, reacting after injuring his hamstring on May 5, was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain with the prognosis of being out 4-8 weeks.
âObviously, the organization, front office, management invested a lot in me to be here,â he said. âI believe in myself. Iâm very confident in myself. Thatâs why I wanted to try and push through this to try and help the team win as many games as possible.â
This is the kind of mindset that has made the veteran right-hander a valued mentor in the bullpen and clubhouse since joining the club in 2024, a mindset that includes a personal stake in teammates and the playoff vision that seemed to resonate when they talked about the person they were losing to the injured list as much as the pitcher.
Emilio PagĂĄn has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain but is expected to return before the All-Star break.
Emilio PagĂĄn injured his hamstring on May 5 while pitching in a game against the Cubs.
PagĂĄn feels a strong sense of responsibility and worries he is letting his teammates down as they aim for a division title and playoff berth.
The Cincinnati Reds are confident about competing for a division title and securing a second consecutive playoff berth.
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âHe was so emotional heâs apologizing,â manager Terry Francona said of PagĂĄnâs reaction after falling to the grass, clutching his hamstring in pain, and punching the ground Tuesday night.
âItâs kind of amazing how quickly you go from knowing what the score is to, âWeâve got to take care of this kid,â â Francona said. âHe embodies so much of what we care about here.â
How the Reds cover for PagĂĄn on the mound for the estimated 4-to-8 weeks heâll be sidelined involves a much simpler calculus than the bigger picture of compensating for the rest that he brings. Francona said he doesnât plan to elevate a single pitcher to the role, instead mixing and matching with his leverage-relief crew.
PagĂĄn said he wasnât sure whether heâd do most of his treatment and rehab work at the teamâs facility in Arizona or stay with the team during that process.
âI would hope to stay with the club,â he said. âI think I can help in other ways, other than just pitching. I can use my eyes and use my mind and help with ballgames from the side. Thatâs going to be my goal.â
Emilio Pagan first felt a problem with his hamstring when he pitched against the Chicago White Sox on April 14 (pictured). He has received regular treatment for it since.
Thatâs part of why the Reds stretched the payroll budget to secure the free agent return of PagĂĄn for $20 million over two years during the winter. And why heâll probably be staying with the team during his recovery.
PagĂĄn felt tightness in the hamstring a month ago and has received regular treatment for it since then as he quickly returned to action.
âI felt like I was getting to the end of it,â he said, adding that he felt no discomfort either warming in the bullpen or on the mound immediately before that first pitch Tuesday.
âItâs been getting better. Thatâs the most frustrating part.â
That and a five-game losing streak that includes three straight one-run losses after late blown leads. And not being able to do anything about it for at least a month.
We dug through the Enquirer archives and found some of our favorite photos of Cincinnati Reds legend Tony Perez.
The Big Red Machine and Great Eight star later went on to coach and manage the team.
Take a look at the Hall of Famer, All-Star and World Series champion through the years.
May 1966: Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Perez takes a look at his little slugger and his wife, Juana, at Good Samaritan Hospital. Victor Perez is their first child.
Aug. 15, 1966: Reds first baseman Tony Perez' son Victor, three months old, missed all the action but got the chance to catch up on some shut-eye at the team's annual father-son game
Sept. 10, 1968: Waiting patiently, Victor Perez stands by while Mom serves him chicken and yellow rice as father Tony Perez, Reds' third baseman, watches.
June 1970: Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Perez in action at Crosley Field.
Oct. 12, 1972: Happiness is winning the National League, as evidenced by these locker room expressions of Johnny Bench (left) and Tony Perez.
July 26, 1974: "Beautiful, Tony, Beautiful!" That's what Reds manager Sparky Anderson must be saying to Tony Perez after dramatic game-winning homer in the Riverfront Stadium opener.
March 22, 1975: Tony Perez signs autographs for fans.
Oct. 7, 1975: Tony Perez hits a home run.
Tony Perez gets a congratulatory hand slap from Pete Rose after a three-run homer.
April 8, 1976: Tony Perez.
June 1976: Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Perez in action at Riverfront Stadium.
May 5, 1978: Tony Perez, then a Montreal Expo, was at first to help Pete Rose celebrate his 3,000 hit.
April 1984: Tony Perez clowns around testing his tight pants.
Sept. 17, 1984: Schottzie the elephant takes a bow for Tony Perez, Mrs. Larry Paul, Mr. Paul and Mrs. Perez, from left.
May 14, 1985: Tony Perez had plenty to smile about after his sixth-inning pinch-hit grand slam beat the Phillies.
July 1, 1986: Tony Perez in the Red's clubhouse.
Oct. 7, 1986: Marge Schott jokes with Tony Perez at a press conference.
Oct. 30, 1992: New Reds manager Tony Perez hugs general partner Marge Schott.
1993: Cincinnati Reds manager Tony Perez (left) stands with general manager Jim Bowden (right) during spring training.
March 5, 1993: Tony Perez wears that trademark smile as he readies for his first game as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
2000: From left, Tony Perez, Carlton Fisk and Sparky Anderson hold up their plaques at the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.
2000: Hall of famer Johnny Bench gives new Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Perez a kiss after he gave his speech at the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
Sept. 22, 2002: Tony Perez, Barry Larkin, Sparky Anderson and Johnny Bench prior to the start of the final Reds game at Cinergy Field.
June 20, 2009: Former Cincinnati Reds player Tony Perez, who was part of the "Big Red Machine," talks to former NBA basketball player Oscar Robertson before the MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon at the Duke Energy Center.
July 23, 2016: Hall of Famer and Reds great Tony Perez waves to the crowd during the Parade of Legends down Main Street in Cooperstown, NY.
June 26, 2025: Tony Perez walks the red carpet at the Big Red Machine 50th Anniversary VIP Reception at the Aronoff Center for the Arts.
June 27, 2025: Former Cincinnati Reds player Tony Perez waves to fans during the Big Red Machine Parade at Great American Ball Park.
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We dug through the Enquirer archives and found some of our favorite photos of Cincinnati Reds legend Tony Perez.
The Big Red Machine and Great Eight star later went on to coach and manage the team.
Take a look at the Hall of Famer, All-Star and World Series champion through the years.
1 / 28
We dug through the Enquirer archives and found some of our favorite photos of Cincinnati Reds legend Tony Perez.
The Big Red Machine and Great Eight star later went on to coach and manage the team.
Take a look at the Hall of Famer, All-Star and World Series champion through the years.
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May 1966: Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Perez takes a look at his little slugger and his wife, Juana, at Good Samaritan Hospital. Victor Perez is their first child.
3 / 28
Aug. 15, 1966: Reds first baseman Tony Perez' son Victor, three months old, missed all the action but got the chance to catch up on some shut-eye at the team's annual father-son game
4 / 28
Sept. 10, 1968: Waiting patiently, Victor Perez stands by while Mom serves him chicken and yellow rice as father Tony Perez, Reds' third baseman, watches.
5 / 28
June 1970: Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Perez in action at Crosley Field.
6 / 28
Oct. 12, 1972: Happiness is winning the National League, as evidenced by these locker room expressions of Johnny Bench (left) and Tony Perez.
7 / 28
July 26, 1974: "Beautiful, Tony, Beautiful!" That's what Reds manager Sparky Anderson must be saying to Tony Perez after dramatic game-winning homer in the Riverfront Stadium opener.
8 / 28
March 22, 1975: Tony Perez signs autographs for fans.
9 / 28
Oct. 7, 1975: Tony Perez hits a home run.
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Tony Perez gets a congratulatory hand slap from Pete Rose after a three-run homer.
11 / 28
April 8, 1976: Tony Perez.
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June 1976: Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Perez in action at Riverfront Stadium.
13 / 28
May 5, 1978: Tony Perez, then a Montreal Expo, was at first to help Pete Rose celebrate his 3,000 hit.
14 / 28
April 1984: Tony Perez clowns around testing his tight pants.
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Sept. 17, 1984: Schottzie the elephant takes a bow for Tony Perez, Mrs. Larry Paul, Mr. Paul and Mrs. Perez, from left.
16 / 28
May 14, 1985: Tony Perez had plenty to smile about after his sixth-inning pinch-hit grand slam beat the Phillies.
17 / 28
July 1, 1986: Tony Perez in the Red's clubhouse.
18 / 28
Oct. 7, 1986: Marge Schott jokes with Tony Perez at a press conference.
19 / 28
Oct. 30, 1992: New Reds manager Tony Perez hugs general partner Marge Schott.
20 / 28
1993: Cincinnati Reds manager Tony Perez (left) stands with general manager Jim Bowden (right) during spring training.
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March 5, 1993: Tony Perez wears that trademark smile as he readies for his first game as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
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2000: From left, Tony Perez, Carlton Fisk and Sparky Anderson hold up their plaques at the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.
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2000: Hall of famer Johnny Bench gives new Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Perez a kiss after he gave his speech at the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
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Sept. 22, 2002: Tony Perez, Barry Larkin, Sparky Anderson and Johnny Bench prior to the start of the final Reds game at Cinergy Field.
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June 20, 2009: Former Cincinnati Reds player Tony Perez, who was part of the "Big Red Machine," talks to former NBA basketball player Oscar Robertson before the MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon at the Duke Energy Center.
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July 23, 2016: Hall of Famer and Reds great Tony Perez waves to the crowd during the Parade of Legends down Main Street in Cooperstown, NY.
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June 26, 2025: Tony Perez walks the red carpet at the Big Red Machine 50th Anniversary VIP Reception at the Aronoff Center for the Arts.
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June 27, 2025: Former Cincinnati Reds player Tony Perez waves to fans during the Big Red Machine Parade at Great American Ball Park.
If anything, PagĂĄn said, he expects to be able to make up for it with a few extra weeks of pitching in October.
âI believe this is a playoff team. I believe this is a team that can compete for a division,â he said. âThatâs gonna be my driving motivation during rehab, to hopefully come back when weâre getting ready to celebrate something meaningful for the organization and our fans.â
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds closer Emilio PagĂĄn motivated by playoff goals to return early