Cincinnati Reds trade former Kentucky pitcher Taylor Rogers to Pittsburgh Pirates

Jun 25, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Taylor Rogers throws against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

The trade deadline in Major League Baseball arrives on Thursday. The Cincinnati Reds appear to be a buyer heading into the stretch run in August and September. A former Kentucky pitcher was traded in the first move for this NL Central franchise.

Taylor Rogers was part of the deal that brought Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to Great American Ball Park.

The #Reds today acquired 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes from the Pirates in exchange for LHP Taylor Rogers, IF Sammy Stafura and cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/b7SRwoE8fV
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 30, 2025

In 40 appearances out of the Cincinnati bullpen this season, the left-handed pitching Taylor Rogers logged 33 innings with a 2.45 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. However, the 34-year-old is posting a career-high number in walk rate (13%) and has struggled to get both lefties and inherited runners out this year for the Reds. As the franchise looked to find another starting third baseman, Rogers was used in the trade to make the salaries match.

Taylor Rogers is a Colorado native who was drafted in the 37th round of the 2009 MLB Draft but decided to play college ball instead. The left-handed pitcher finished his collegiate career with a 6-4 record and a 4.82 ERA as a starting pitcher playing for head coach Gary Henderson.

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Rogers then turned pro and was drafted in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins. The bullpen pitcher would make his MLB debut in 2016 and has been in the big leagues ever since. The Kentucky product made the All-Star Game in 2021 at age 30. Then the specialist has bounced around the league.

Rogers will now play for his sixth MLB franchise in Pittsburgh after spending time with the Minnesota Twins (2016-21), San Diego Padres (2022), Milwaukee Brewers (2022), San Francisco Giants (2023-24), and Cincinnati Reds (2024).

The Reds hope that the move to acquire Hayes will upgrade the defense and help get this team over the hump in the wild card chase but some more acquisitions are likely needed for this small market club.