The transactions log on right-hander Alan Busenitz’s MLB.com profile page indicates that the Reds and Busenitz reached an agreement on a minor league contract earlier this week. Busenitz was slated to return to Cincinnati for a second season in the organization, but he was granted minor league free agency earlier this winter.

In 2017, Busenitz made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Twins. He was selected by the Angels in the 25th round of the 2013 draft, and he pitched out of the bullpen for two seasons, recording a 4.58 ERA and 5.49 FIP. Prior to the 2019 season, Busenitz was released by the Twins and signed a contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Busenitz had an outstanding debut season in Japan, pitching 64 innings with a 1.69 ERA. Over the next two seasons, Busenitz’s strikeout rate of just 18% and 3.51 ERA in 82 innings pitched caused his run prevention figures to deteriorate. However, in 2022, he bounced back, recording a 2.14 ERA over 33 2/3 frames and striking out 21.1% of hitters faced.

Busenitz received consideration for a minor league deal from the Reds throughout the offseason because to his excellent 2022 campaign and his outstanding NPB record. The right-hander was up and down the club’s 40-man roster during his return to stateside ball, despite finishing with a 2.83 ERA through 155 2/3 career innings pitched overseas. In his six major league appearances, he recorded a solid 2.57 ERA with five strikeouts and one walk in seven innings of work. Beginning the season with impressive minor league stats, the right-hander recorded a 2.48 ERA in 40 innings pitched at the Triple-A level through the middle of August. During that period, he struck out 25% of batters faced, but his 12.8% walk rate was particularly noteworthy and could be cause for concern.

After being transferred to the juveniles for the last time in late August of 2023, Busenitz’s life came to an end. The right-hander pitched horribly last season, finishing with a 13.91 ERA in his last 11 minor league games. This reduced his minor league totals to a respectable 4.94 ERA in 51 innings. Relying on a relief corps for an astounding 652 1/3 frames last year—a total second only to the Giants in the National League—Busenitz might give the Reds a key depth arm in 2024 if he can avoid a late-season downturn. Busenitz will likely have competition this spring from pitchers like Buck Farmer and Fernando Cruz for a position in the Reds bullpen.