Reds' Santiago Espinal: Outrighted off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Reds outrighted Espinal to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Espinal has the ability to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency, but it's uncertain whether he plans to exercise that right. The veteran infielder slashed only .243/.292/.282 with zero home runs over 114 regular-season games for the Reds this season.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Taking regular turns in AFL
Rotowire
Lowder (oblique/forearm) has made three starts for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
The Reds are being careful with Lowder, who has thrown two innings in all a three of his outings. The 2023 first-round selection allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six with zero walks. The right-hander is coming off a lost season due to his injuries and pitched a total of 9.1 innings in rehab outings during 2025. The club believes Lowder will have a normal offseason and compete for a rotation spot in spring training.
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Reds' Ian Gibaut: Activated, outrighted to Louisville
Rotowire
The Reds reinstated Gibaut (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday and sent him outright to Triple-A Louisville.
Gibaut posted a 4.62 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 25.1 regular-season innings this year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in late August. He has enough service time necessary to reject his assignment and enter free agency, though it's unknown what his plans are.
Reds' Zack Littell: Takes loss in elimination game
Rotowire
Littell took the loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series. He allowed three runs on six hits while striking out two without a walk over 3.1 innings.
The Reds staked Littell to a two-run lead before he took the mound, but he ultimately gave the lead back with three runs allowed over the third and fourth innings. Littell was lifted after 52 pitches -- an understandably quick hook from manager Terry Francona with the season on the line. Littell served up 36 home runs during the regular season, second most in the majors, but he nonetheless managed a highly respectable 3.81 and 1.10 WHIP over 186.2 innings between Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is a free agent this winter.
Marte isn't in the lineup for Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Marte will step out of the starting nine after going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Tuesday's Game 1 loss. Spencer Steer will move to the outfield as a result, opening up first base for Sal Stewart.
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