Ian Gibaut DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Ian Gibaut blew the save chance and suffered the loss in a 4-6 loss to the Giants on Thursday. He allowed four runs on three hits and a walk. The Reds were entering the season with a suspected closer committee, but Gibaut was interestingly not on anyone's radar for the role. Scott Barlow, Emilio Pagan, and Tony Santillan were all more favored for save chances, yet they pitched the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings of this game. With so many options, this might be Gibaut's first and last opportunity to close a game for a while.

According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, right-handed pitcher Ian Gibaut agreed to a minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds that contains an invite to spring training. Gibaut was non-tendered by the Reds earlier this offseason but will given an opportunity to crack the Opening Day roster. The 31-year-old logged just two innings of work in the majors last season as he was limited by calf and forearm injuries. In 2023, the Tulane product posted a 3.33 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP across 75 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 69 batters and held an 8.8% walk rate. That season, he generated a solid 6.0% barrel rate and a 31.9% hard-hit rate. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression during spring training, as Gibaut could earn a spot in the bullpen if he performs well.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Ian Gibaut (calf, forearm) started a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday and gave up a home run in his lone inning of work. It's good to see Gibaut pitching in games again, but because of the fact that he's missed the entire 2024 season, it's unlikely that we'll see him down the stretch pitching out of the Reds' bullpen with the season winding down. The 30-year-old reliever has been rehabbing a right-calf strain and a right-forearm strain all season long. The former 11th-round selection of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015 out of Tulane was solid for the Reds last year, going 8-4 with a 3.33 ERA (4.07 FIP), a 1.28 WHIP, a career-high three saves, a career-high 69 strikeouts and 28 walks in 75 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.