Photo: Doug Gray
Every spring is the start of baseball for 200-something players in every organization. But with that start comes an end for some of them. Each spring there are releases that ultimately take place. And each spring guys begin their year injured, too – whether it’s an injury that took place the previous season and has carried over to 2026 or an injury that occurred in spring training. This week the Cincinnati Reds made their second release of a player and they also placed 14 guys on the injured list to begin the season.
Right-handed pitcher Samuel Perez was released. The 21-year-old right-handed pitcher began his career with the Dominican Summer League Reds in 2024 and had a strong debut. He started nine games and pitched in relief in three others, posting a 2.60 ERA in 45.0 innings while walking 12 and striking out 36. Cincinnati brought him to the US in 2025 and he struggled as he pitched with the Arizona Complex League Reds. He would throw 44.2 innings with an ERA of 8.26. He gave up 65 hits and walked 10 batters while striking out 31.
Two players have been placed on the full-season injured list. Right-handed pitchers Gabe Starks and Maison Martinez are both going to be out all year. Last season Gabe Starks didn’t start his 2025 season until early May, but he pitched all season with Daytona outside of his first two games that came with the ACL Reds. With the Tortugas he had a 3.69 ERA in 39.0 innings but did struggle with control as he walked 28 batters in that time. Maison Martinez was the club’s 16th round pick out of Florida State last summer. He pitched during instructional league last September, but has not technically made his professional debut yet.
12 players were also placed on the 60-day injured list this week. Only two of those players are position players – Ricky Cabrera and Connor Burns. Pitchers Bryan Salgado, Carson Spiers, Christian Lopez, Edwin Cervantes, Hunter Hollan, Khristian Guevara, Logan Tanner, Luis Pimentel, Luke Holman, and Owen Holt were all placed on the 60-day injured list as well.
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