| Zac Reininger | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Reininger with the Tigers in 2019 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-01-28)January 28, 1993 (age 33) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Switch Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 27, 2017, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2019 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 1–3 |
| Earned run average | 8.08 |
| Strikeouts | 40 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Zachary Ryan Reininger (born January 28, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theDetroit Tigers.
Reininger attendedSmithson Valley High School inSpring Branch, Texas.
Reininger attendedHill College inHillsboro, Texas and was drafted by theDetroit Tigers in the 8th round (246th overall) of the2013 Major League Baseball draft.[1][2] In 2015, Reininger suffered an elbow injury that requiredTommy John surgery. As a result, Reininger missed the second half of the year in 2015 and the vast majority of the entire 2016 season.[3]
On August 23, 2017, the Detroit Tigers announced the addition of Reininger to their 40-man roster and his subsequent call-up to the active roster effective the next day.[4] At the time of his call-up, Reininger was pitching for Tigers'Triple-A affiliate, theToledo Mud Hens, where he had a 1–0 record, 1.59 ERA, and held opponents to a .179 average in11+1⁄3 innings of work. He made his Major League debut on August 27, 2017, where he struck out a man and gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in an inning of work. Reininger was again called up on May 8, 2018, to fill in for injured players.[5] He made 18 appearances for the Tigers 2018, recording an ERA of 7.59 in21+1⁄3 innings. At Toledo in 2018, he went 5–1 with a 2.63 ERA in51+1⁄3 innings.
Reininger made 25 appearances for Detroit in 2019, struggling to an 8.68 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 28 innings pitched. Reininger was outrighted off the Tigers roster on October 23, 2019.[6] He elected free agency following the season on November 4.[7]
On April 1, 2020, Reininger signed a minor league deal with theOakland Athletics. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[8]
On November 2, 2020, Reininger re–signed with the Athletics organization on a new minor league contract. He spent the 2021 season with the Double–AMidland RockHounds, making 5 starts and registering a 1–4 record and 4.63 ERA with 23 strikeouts across23+1⁄3 innings pitched. Reininger elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2021.[9]
On August 1, 2022, Reininger signed with theCleburne Railroaders of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball. In two appearances for Cleburne, he surrendered two runs on three hits in two innings of work. Reininger was released by the Railroaders on October 17.
On February 8, 2024, Reininger signed with theWinnipeg Goldeyes of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[10] In 19 starts for Winnipeg, he compiled a 9–5 record and 4.49 ERA with 65 strikeouts across114+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Reininger re-signed with the Goldeyes on May 9, 2025. He made one scoreless appearance for the team, and was released on May 11.[11]
On June 19, 2025, Reininger signed with theKansas City Monarchs of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[12] In two appearances for Kansas City, Reininger recorded a 6.00 ERA with five strikeouts over three innings of work.
On June 24, 2025, Reininger was traded to theCleburne Railroaders in exchange for aplayer to be named later.[13] He was released two days later without appearing for the team.[14]