| Tanner Rainey | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Rainey with the Nationals in 2019 | |
| Detroit Tigers – No. 72 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1992-12-25)December 25, 1992 (age 33) Folsom, Louisiana, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 10, 2018, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 5–11 |
| Earned run average | 5.52 |
| Strikeouts | 247 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Tanner Scott Rainey (born December 25, 1992) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher in theDetroit Tigers organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCincinnati Reds,Washington Nationals, andPittsburgh Pirates. He was drafted by the Reds in the second round of the2015 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2018.
Rainey attendedSt. Paul's School inCovington, Louisiana. He playedcollege baseball atSoutheastern Louisiana University and theUniversity of West Alabama as a pitcher andfirst baseman.[1]
TheCincinnati Reds selected Rainey as a pitcher in the second round of the2015 Major League Baseball draft.[2] Rainey signed with the Reds, made his professional debut with theBillings Mustangs,[3] and spent the whole season there, pitching to a 2–2 record and 4.27 ERA in 15 starts. He pitched 2016 with theDayton Dragons and was 5–10 with a 5.57 ERA in 29 games (20 starts), and 2017 with theDaytona Tortugas andPensacola Blue Wahoos, compiling a combined 3–3 record and 3.19 ERA in 53 relief appearances along with 104 strikeouts in 62 innings (15.1 per nine innings).[4] The Reds invited him to spring training in 2018.[5]
On April 10, 2018, Rainey's contract was purchased by the Reds. He made his major league debut that same day against thePhiladelphia Phillies, pitching one inning of relief and giving up a grand slam toScott Kingery.[6] In the 2018 season with the Reds, he was 0–0 with a 24.23 ERA, as in seven innings over eight games he gave up 13 hits, 12 walks, and 19 earned runs.[7]
On December 12, 2018, the Reds traded Rainey to theWashington Nationals forTanner Roark.[8] Rainey was called up to the Nationals from the Triple-AFresno Grizzlies on May 18, 2019,[9] and swiftly became one of managerDave Martinez's go-to relievers.[10] He earned his first career win in relief on June 1, beating Roark and the Reds atGreat American Ball Park.[11]
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In 2019, Rainey was 2–3 with a 3.91 ERA in 52 relief appearances, as he struck out 74 batters in48+1⁄3 innings (13.8 per nine innings), but walked 38 batters (7.1 walks per 9 innings pitched).[12] The Nationals finished the 2019 year with a 93–69 record, clinched a wild card spot, and won theWorld Series over theHouston Astros.[13] Rainey pitched6+2⁄3 innings with 5 walks and 6 strikeouts in the 2019 playoffs including throwing 2 strikeouts and finishing Game 3 of the2019 NLCS, the first ever NLCS game atNationals Park and inWashington, DC history. Rainey pitched20+1⁄3 innings of 2.66 ERA ball in 2020, going along with 32 strikeouts and a 1–1 record, however after experiencing forearm tightness in mid-September 2020, Rainey sat out the remainder of the season.[14] In 2021, Rainey made 38 appearances for the Nationals, and pitched to a 1–3 record and 7.39 ERA with 25 walks (averaging 7.1 walks per 9 innings) and 42 strikeouts in31+2⁄3 innings pitched.[7]
Rainey improved his numbers in 2022, pitching in 29 games and recording a 3.30 ERA with 12 saves and 36 strikeouts in 30 innings of work. On July 13, 2022, Rainey was abruptly placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprain of hisulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.[15] On August 3, he underwentTommy John surgery, ending his season.[16]
On September 29, 2023, Rainey was activated from the injured list to make his season debut and return from surgery.[17] Rainey made 50 appearances for Washington in 2024, compiling a 4.76 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 51 innings pitched. On November 22, 2024, the Nationals non–tendered Rainey, making him a free agent.[18]
On December 7, 2024, Rainey signed a minor league contract with thePittsburgh Pirates.[19] He was assigned to the Triple-AIndianapolis Indians to begin the 2025 season. On May 3, 2025, the Pirates selected Rainey's contract, adding him to their active roster.[20] In 11 appearances for Pittsburgh, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 10.57 ERA with nine strikeouts across7+2⁄3 innings pitched. On June 2, Rainey wasdesignated for assignment by the Pirates.[21] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Indianapolis, but rejected the assignment and elected free agency on June 4.[22] On June 10, Rainey re-signed with Pittsburgh on a minor league contract.[23] He was released by the Pirates organization on July 8.[24]
On July 18, 2025, Rainey signed a minor league contract with theDetroit Tigers.[25] In 19 appearances for the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens, he posted a 1-0 record and 2.66 ERA with 33 strikeouts and one save23+2⁄3 innings pitched. On September 21, the Tigers selected Rainey's contract, adding him to their active roster.[26] In two appearances for Detroit, he struggled to a 13.50 ERA with two strikeouts over two innings of work. Rainey was designated for assignment by the Tigers on November 18.[27] On November 21, he was non-tendered by Detroit and became a free agent.[28]
On November 26, 2025, Rainey re-signed with the Tigers on a minor league contract.[29]
Rainey is married to his wife Kelsey. The couple has two children: Ryker and Rory.[30] Their son, Ryker Scott was born on December 7, 2021.[31] Their daughter, Rory Rae, was born on January 26, 2023.[32]
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