CINCINNATI -- This week in the Reds’ clubhouse, a small Christmas tree was set up on a table with lights. Wrapped presents started accumulating under the tree. Just like during the holiday season, anticipation built. On Wednesday, before the daily pregame routine got underway at Great American Ball Park, the holidays came very early to this little corner of Cincinnati as the players held a “Secret Santa” gift exchange. “I thought it was really fun. Nate Lowe put it together and planned it all out,” reliever Tejay Antone said. Nathaniel Lowe, a first baseman who signed with the Reds in February, brought the idea with him from Washington, where he played with the Nationals in 2025. “The guys in D.C. did it last year, and it was so much fun. Trevor Williams deserves a lot of credit for that idea,” Lowe said. |
Each player drew a name randomly out of a hat to purchase a gift for. It wasn’t just limited to players, however. Manager Terry Francona, the coaches and the clubhouse staff were also included. “I’ve never seen that before, but it was pretty cool, pretty touching,” Francona said. The clubhouse workers, who operate at a much lower income level than the players, did not have to buy gifts but they all received something. “We obviously don’t get to do that for Christmas,” starting pitcher Brady Singer said. “It was cool for us, but it was cooler for the staff. We were able to spend some money on the staff. They obviously do a lot for us, so to kind of spoil them a little bit with something like that was really cool.” This was no “white elephant” gift exchange with tacky presents and ugly sweaters. Once players were assigned their recipients, they put some thought into what to buy. “There were some guys really spending a lot. Some guys spent over $1,000,” Antone said. Antone got his gift from pitcher Chris Paddack, even though he was designated for assignment on Monday. “He got me a really, really nice custom chessboard,” Antone said. Antone drew shortstop Elly De La Cruz’s name and got him a SCUF high-performance video game controller for his PlayStation 5. |
Reliever Graham Ashcraft, who loves to go hunting, received one of the more unique gifts -- a life-sized deer that was a 3D hunting target. Singer was sitting at his locker next to a giant Yeti cooler, his gift from Zach Maxwell that was bought before the reliever was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday. To Will Benson, Singer gifted some new cologne and made sure the outfielder got it after he was sent down to Louisville on Tuesday. “He was excited,” Singer said. By his office desk, Francona had already put some belongings inside his new monogrammed travel bag. Lowe also received cologne from outfielder Noelvi Marte. “I don’t know if that means I stink or he just thought it was a good idea, but I think it smells great. I’m thankful for it,” Lowe said. Some of the clubhouse staff gifts were substantial in size, too. “One of the staff members got a new Traeger grill,” Antone said. “It was a really, really nice gift. That will be at his house forever. Those things last a long time.” It's no secret that the Reds have been struggling. Including three straight losses to Milwaukee, they have dropped 14 of 21 games heading into Friday's series opener at Pittsburgh. A gift exchange was not only appreciated, but the timing was right for some levity. “It was neat. It took our minds off the game a little bit. We got to enjoy that,” Singer said. “Everyone’s involved. Good or bad on the field, you’ve got to show up at the yard with some gratitude,” Lowe said. “I think that so many of us in the winter give gifts to our family members and don’t get to reciprocate to the guys at work. I think there’s a lot of generous guys on this team, and it was cool to have that be part of a day in the Major Leagues.” |
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GARCIA'S BIG LEAGUE DEBUT |
Called up on Monday from Triple-A Louisville, 31-year-old reliever Julian Garcia debuted on Tuesday vs. the Brewers. Garcia became the third-oldest Red to make his debut in the expansion era (since 1961). He was younger than only reliever Fernando Cruz (32 years, 158 days in 2022) and outfielder Shogo Akiyama (32 years, 99 days in 2020). Garcia, who was originally drafted by the Phillies in 2016, was out of organized baseball in 2023 and made his way back via independent ball in ’24 before being signed by the Reds last season. |
In a 2-0 loss to the Brewers, Garcia threw 1 2/3 innings with three strikeouts. After a scoreless fifth inning, he issued a two-out walk to Andrew Vaughn in the sixth when it was 0-0. Vaughn scored on Jake Bauers’ RBI triple against Caleb Ferguson, but it didn’t dampen Garcia’s excitement about finally realizing his dream. “It was everything I’ve imagined,” Garcia said. “I felt like I was inside of a video game. I can’t put words to it. It’s just one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life. I worked hard to get to this point. It’s not the result that I wanted to lose the game.” Garcia appreciated the ovation from fans as he walked off the mound, and the high fives and cheers from Reds teammates. He also heard his father from the seats. “He’s got a really unique voice and a whistle that he’s always done since I was a young kid. That meant the world to hear that,” Garcia said. “All my family was here.” |
• Nick Lodolo was hit by a 107.6 mph comebacker during Tuesday's start vs. Milwaukee. More >> • De La Cruz returned from the injured list this week. More >> • Hunter Greene might have just one rehab start to go before being activated. More >> |
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