Just when the Cincinnati Reds were beginning to stabilize their bullpen picture, a sudden setback has forced an unexpected shakeup — and the replacement may leave fans asking, “Who?”
The Reds announced this week that right-handed reliever Ian Gibaut has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement, a move that comes as a surprise to many considering his sharp performance just days earlier.
Gibaut last pitched in Saturday’s loss to the San Diego Padres, where he delivered a perfect ninth inning with just 11 pitches. Nothing in that outing suggested anything was wrong. And yet, out of nowhere, he’s out.
A Reliable Piece, Now Missing
Gibaut has quietly been one of the most dependable arms in Cincinnati’s bullpen over the past two seasons. In 2023, he appeared in 74 games and posted a solid 3.33 ERA. While his numbers have ticked up a bit in 2024, his presence as a late-inning bridge — especially in high-leverage spots — made him a key piece for manager David Bell.
Now, the Reds will have to navigate the next stretch without him, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
Enter Joe La Sorsa: A Low-Profile Lefty With Everything to Prove
To fill the sudden void, the Reds have called up left-handed pitcher Joe La Sorsa from Triple-A Louisville. If that name doesn’t ring a bell for most fans, you’re not alone.
La Sorsa, 25, was signed as organizational depth and has seen only brief stints in the majors. He’s pitched in just two games for Cincinnati this season. In his debut, he impressed with a scoreless, hitless inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks. But his second outing — just four days later — was a stark contrast. He was tagged for four runs on five hits in just one inning against Cleveland, raising immediate doubts about his MLB readiness.
Following that rough night, La Sorsa was sent back down. But now, with Gibaut sidelined, he’s back — and this time, the situation carries higher stakes.
A Roster Gamble or a Breakout Opportunity?
In Triple-A Louisville, La Sorsa has quietly been effective. In four appearances since returning, he’s allowed just one earned run over 3.2 innings, giving up three hits and three walks while striking out seven. Those numbers aren’t eye-popping, but they show improvement — and more importantly, control.
Still, being “thrown into the fire” in the middle of a tight National League playoff race is no small challenge. La Sorsa won’t be asked to close games, but with Gibaut out, the trickle-down effect means he could be called upon in key moments — particularly in matchups where a lefty-on-lefty is needed.
What This Means Going Forward
The Reds have dealt with bullpen instability before, and this move is another reminder that no one’s spot is guaranteed — or safe from the injury bug. La Sorsa now has a chance to turn his low-profile call-up into a proving ground.
If he holds his own, he could become a surprising piece in the Reds’ playoff push. If not, Cincinnati may need to dig even deeper into its Triple-A well — or explore trade options as the deadline approaches.
Bottom Line
The injury to Ian Gibaut wasn’t just sudden — it was disruptive. And now, an unknown lefty in Joe La Sorsa has a shot to prove he belongs under the bright lights.
He may have entered the picture quietly. But his next outing could be anything but.
