Ian Gibaut has officially elected free agency as of October 31, following updates from the MiLB transaction log. This move comes after the reliever was activated from the 60-day injured list and assigned to Triple-A Louisville on October 28. Gibaut had been sidelined due to a right shoulder impingement but now has the opportunity to explore other options in the league.
The 31-year-old right-hander has spent parts of four seasons with the Cincinnati Reds from 2022 to 2025. Over his tenure, he has pitched a total of 137 2/3 innings, maintaining a commendable 3.92 ERA with a strikeout rate of approximately 22.5% and a walk rate of 9.3%. His 2023 season stands out, where he boasted an impressive 3.33 ERA across 75 2/3 innings while allowing hard contact at a significantly lower rate than the league average.
However, his subsequent seasons were marred by injury, including a nerve issue that required surgery after just two appearances in the 2024 season. Although Gibaut was non-tendered by the Reds in November 2024, he secured a minor league contract with the team in January 2025.
In 2025, Gibaut made 25 appearances, covering 25 1/3 innings with a 4.62 ERA. He faced challenges in striking batters out, achieving only a 13.2% strikeout rate, influenced by injuries that limited his effectiveness on the mound. Nevertheless, he improved his walk rate to 7.3%, which was better than the league average, and managed to limit hard contact effectively.
Gibaut’s decision to pursue free agency marks a new chapter in his career, providing him with the opportunity to rejuvenate his performance elsewhere. With his proven track record from previous seasons, he could be a valuable addition to any Major League Baseball team looking for reliable bullpen depth.