Buck Farmer is coming home. The veteran reliever has signed a minor-league deal to rejoin the Cincinnati Reds, just weeks after being released by the Los Angeles Angels. It’s a familiar landing spot for Farmer, who posted a solid 3.68 ERA over 193 innings with the Reds from 2022 to 2024—some of the best years of his career.
A Rough 2025 So Far
This season has been anything but kind. Splitting time with Triple-A affiliates of the Braves and Angels, Farmer struggled mightily, racking up an 8.64 ERA over just 16.2 innings while issuing 11 walks. His command, long a swing factor in his performance, deserted him.
With the Reds eyeing bullpen help for a potential playoff push, they’re willing to see if Farmer can rediscover his old form. The plan is to start him in the Arizona Complex League, where he’ll get a chance to reset under the Reds’ development staff.
High Reward, Low Risk
For Cincinnati, this is a no-brainer move: a veteran arm with past success in their uniform who knows the organization inside and out. For Farmer, it’s a last chance to prove he can still get big-league hitters out and extend a career that showed real promise during his eight seasons with the Tigers.
If he can regain his control, Farmer could offer valuable bullpen depth down the stretch. If not, it costs the Reds little more than a minor-league roster spot.
The Bottom Line
Buck Farmer’s path back to the majors is steep, but Cincinnati has seen him succeed before. Both sides hope lightning can strike twice.
Buck Farmer Returns to Reds on Minor-League Deal, Hoping for One Last Shot
