Reds to sign free-agent OF Tommy Pham to one-year deal

The deal has not been formally announced by the team and is pending a physical, Nightengale said.

The 34-year-old right-handed hitter is coming off a solid second season with the San Diego Padres, despite suffering a rather gruesome off-the-field injury in 2020. In his return to the diamond, Pham slashed .229/.340/.383 with 15 home runs, 49 RBI and 74 runs scored on 109 hits in 155 games. 

While the signing serves as a fresh start for Pham, it also adds to a Reds lineup in need of replenishing since they lost some of its power with Nick Castellanos going to the Philadelphia Phillies. Nightengale also notes that Pham fairs well against left-handed pitching, which gave the Reds fits in their 2021 campaign.

This season's Reds will look different following the departures of Castellanos, Sonny Gray, Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suárez and Amir Garrett. There have been some additions, though, with Mike Minor, Donovan Solano and Hunter Strickland joining the club ahead of Opening Day.