Cincinnati Reds: Bronson Arroyo Announces Retirement

Bronson Arroyo‘s comeback with the Cincinnati Reds was nothing short of remarkable. Now, the 40 year old starter is set to retire.

The fact that Bronson Arroyo was able to pitch for the Cincinnati Reds this season was nothing short of miraculous. He had Tommy John surgery in 2014, causing him to miss the entire 2015 campaign. In 2016, he tore his rotator cuff as he attempted to land with the Washington Nationals, making it seem that his career was over.

Yet, Arroyo was not going to end his career that way. he signed a minor league contract with the Reds, getting an invite to the major league camp. Surprisingly, Arroyo pitched his way into the starting rotation, making the Opening Day roster. Unfortunately, he did not perform well, and began contemplating retirement after he was bombed in his first few starts.

Then, Arroyo settled in. After not pitching for nearly two and a half years, he began to show signs of being his former self. He still had the occasional rough patch, but Arroyo managed to become an innings eater for the Reds. He made his final start on June 18 before shoulder issues forced him to the disabled list, posting a 7.35 ERA and a 1.592 WHiP in his 71 innings of work.

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Unsurprisingly, this season will be the last for Arroyo. He is set to retire, with the Reds honoring him before their game against the Red Sox on Saturday. It was a fitting time to honor Arroyo and his career, as it was with Boston that he emerged on the map, a part of the Red Sox 2004 World Series team. He was a part of The Slap, when Alex Rodriguez tried to slap the ball out of his glove to avoid an out in Game Six of the ALCS.

Throughout his 16 years in the majors, Arroyo was a solid arm. Overall, he posted a 148-137 record with a 4.28 ERA and a 1.301 WHiP. He threw over 200 innings eight times from 2005 through 2013, emerging as a dependable back of the rotation starter. Arroyo was an All Star in 2006, when he posted his best season, going 14-11 with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.188 WHiP. He led the National League with 240.2 innings and 35 starts that season, emerging as the Reds most valuable player that year.

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It was a long and steady career for Bronson Arroyo. The Cincinnati Reds pitcher has seen his major league journey come to an end, as he walked off into the sunset.