The Reds have brought back catcher Chuckie Robinson and pitcher Jared Solomon on minor league deals, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Both players have received an invite to major league spring training.
Robinson, 28 this month, appeared in 25 games for the Reds this year, hitting .136/.136/.271 with two home runs across 60 plate appearances. He also also threw out three of a possible 17 baserunners. Robinson went better in the minors, slashing a more respectable .266/.320/.399 with five home runs between Double-A and Triple-A.
Originally drafted in the 21st round of the 2016 draft by the Astros, Robinson found his way over to the Reds in the minor league phase of the 2020 Rule 5 draft. He’s posted solid offensive numbers in the Reds minor league system, and has thrown out runners at an impressive 33% over his six minor league seasons.
Solomon, 25, was drafted in the 11th round of the 2017 draft by the Reds. He made his big league debut this year, tossing 8 1/3 innings out of the Reds bullpen for a 10.80 ERA. He did strike out nine batters in that short stint, but also gave up five walks and three home runs.
It wasn’t much better in the minor leagues for Solomon, as he struggled to an 8.93 ERA across 40 1/3 innings. The strikeout rate was solid enough, but he struggled with the long ball, giving up 12 of them in that time.
Robinson had been outrighted off the roster in October before electing free agency, while Solomon was designated for assignment last month.