Cincinnati Reds: Bronson Arroyo admits career may be over
By Brad Faber
After a commendable comeback effort with the Cincinnati Reds, it appears that Bronson Arroyo’s career may have now reached the finish line.
Over the offseason, the Cincinnati Reds signed now 40-year-old right-hander Bronson Arroyo to a minor league deal. Arroyo had not pitched in the majors since 2014.
Arroyo, of course, pitched for the Reds from 2006-13. He was an extremely durable starter, making at least 32 starts and pitching 199 or more innings in each of his eight seasons in Cincinnati. Though he was known to give up a few runs at times, especially in the form of the long ball, he was able to keep his ERA under 4.00 in five of those seasons.
Prior to the 2014 season, Arroyo signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After years of being a quintessential workhorse, Arroyo was bitten by the injury bug while pitching in Arizona and landed on the disabled list for the first time of his career. He made only 14 starts, going 7-4 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP, before undergoing Tommy John surgery and sitting out the rest of the season.
The long road back
In 2015, Arroyo remained on the sidelines. Though he was still recovering and unable to pitch, he was later dealt to the Atlanta Braves and then the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the non-waiver trading deadline. After his option for the 2016 season was declined by the Dodgers, he tried to make a comeback with the Washington Nationals, though it didn’t work out.
In his return to Cincinnati this season, Arroyo has not exactly posted great numbers. Through 14 starts, he has gone 3-6 with a 7.35 ERA (61 ERA+) and a 1.59 WHIP.
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Comeback now over?
After his most recent start, an outing in which he gave up five earned runs over three frames of work against the Dodgers, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Arroyo admitted his career may be nearing the finish line:
"“That could have been the last time I was on the field, yeah. It’s just the way it is.”"
Arroyo has now been moved to the 60-day DL with a shoulder injury. According to WLWT Cincinnati, Arroyo spoke to Fox Sports Ohio on Monday and reiterated that his career is likely over:
"“You know, I’m enjoying the ride with these guys the next few months, but the last time you saw me pitch was going to be against the Dodgers I think.”"
If this does turn out to be the end of the road for Arroyo, he has still had a great career. It was also a great story to see him come back to the place where he had some of his greatest successes.
Next: Grichuk blasting way back into Cards lineup
Over 16 seasons in the big leagues, the one-time world champion has gone 148-137 with a 4.28 ERA (101 ERA+) and a 1.30 WHIP. He was also an All-Star for the Reds in 2006.