Cincinnati Reds Release Former 10th-Round Draft Pick
Minor League Moves and Major League Pranks: Donovan Benoit Released by Reds, Evan Rodrigues Fooled by Teammates
It’s been a week of surprises in the sports world—from career shifts in baseball to locker room pranks in hockey.
Reds Release Pitcher Donovan Benoit
The Cincinnati Reds have officially parted ways with right-handed pitcher Donovan Benoit, their 10th-round draft pick from 2021. The 25-year-old, drafted out of the University of Tennessee, logged a 4.41 ERA across 51 innings this season, splitting time between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga.
Benoit had been in the Reds’ minor league system since 2022 and showed promise early on, but his recent performance wasn’t enough to keep his roster spot intact. As the Reds continue to reshape their farm system, the release underscores how competitive—and unforgiving—the path to the majors can be.
Evan Rodrigues Gets a Championship-Caliber Prank
Meanwhile, in the NHL, Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues found himself at the center of a very different kind of shake-up—albeit a fake one. The two-time Stanley Cup winner, who signed a four-year deal with the Panthers in 2023, believed he was being traded to the Boston Bruins… until he realized it was all a prank by his teammates.
Rodrigues, a key piece in Florida’s back-to-back championships, took the joke in stride. The prank highlights the camaraderie within a Panthers locker room that’s not only dominant on the ice but clearly knows how to have fun off it.
Despite the temporary scare, Rodrigues isn’t going anywhere. The Panthers are doubling down on their core, re-signing stars like Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett, and even veteran forward Brad Marchand to extend their dynasty window.
Two Athletes, Two Journeys
While Donovan Benoit faces the tough reality of free agency, Evan Rodrigues enjoys the spoils—and jokes—of being part of a title-winning team. It’s a reminder that in sports, careers can pivot in a flash, and sometimes, the biggest shake-up comes not from a trade, but from a well-played prank.
