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According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Reds right-hander Julian Aguiar has undergone Tommy John surgery and will be out for the entire 2025 season. Sheldon also reports that the team has let go of three coaches: hitting coach Joel McKeithan, as well as assistant hitting coaches Terry Bradshaw and Tim LaMonte.
Aguiar, who is 23 years old, made his major league debut this year. He was called up to the big leagues in August due to rotation injuries, making seven starts with an ERA of 6.25 before being placed on the injured list in September with a right elbow sprain. It has been decided in recent weeks that he needed surgery. Lefty Brandon Williamson also had Tommy John surgery last month, adding to the pitching staff’s challenges for the upcoming season.
It’s a setback for both Aguiar and the team. Tommy John surgery recoveries typically take over a year, meaning Aguiar will miss the entire 2025 season, impacting the team’s pitching depth and his own development. Aguiar is ranked as the #9 prospect in the club by Baseball America and #7 by FanGraphs, seen as a potential backend starter in the future, but that will have to wait until 2026 at the earliest.
Despite the disappointment with the offense this year, the Reds are undergoing changes in their coaching staff. The team’s batting averages were below par in 2024, with a wRC+ of 87, ranking them among the bottom teams in the league. The decision to let go of the hitting coaches comes after a year where the offense struggled, with several key players missing time due to injuries or suspensions.
The Reds have brought in Terry Francona as the new manager, replacing David Bell. With this managerial change, it’s not surprising to see changes in the coaching staff as well. Francona will likely bring a new approach to the hitting side of the team as they look to improve their performance for the upcoming season.
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