CINCINNATI -- At the deadline to tender unsigned players under club control, the Reds avoided arbitration by signing utility infielder Santiago Espinal to a one-year, $2.4 million contract.

The only player to be non-tendered was right-handed reliever Ian Gibaut.

Espinal, 30, is getting a slight pay cut from the $2.73 million he made in 2024 after the Reds acquired him from the Blue Jays on March 20 for Minor Leaguer Chris McElvain.

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In 118 games for Cincinnati, Espinal batted .246 with a .651 OPS and a career-high nine home runs. He played five positions defensively -- including both corner outfield spots for the first time professionally.

¡°He was a solid utility guy for us last year," Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "It was a deal that we felt worked well with where we were. He comes back and can play second, short and third and make contact and be a good solid player for the club.¡±

Gibaut, 31, spent most of 2024 on the injured list with a right forearm injury. He returned near the end of the season and made two appearances with a 4.50 ERA. In 2023, he led the club with 74 appearances while posting a 3.33 ERA in 75 2/3 innings.