Cincinnati Reds News

Ty France  • 1B  •  Reds

Ty France Open To Playing Catcher

As he looks to land with a team in free agency this winter, first baseman Ty France is reportedly willing to catch, according to sources. Over 10 teams have shown interest in France, according to sources, and at least one club has offered him a guaranteed offer. The 30-year-old right-handed slugger has primarily played first base in his career, but he's also seen time at second and third base in the majors and initially made the San Diego Padres' major-league roster as a utility man and third-string catcher early in his career. France is on the open market this offseason after he hit a combined .234/.305/.365 with a career-low .670 OPS, 13 home runs and 51 RBI in 140 games with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds in 2024. He was an All-Star for the first time in 2022, though, and should get a look as at least a platoon bat at first base/designated hitter with whatever team he joins.
Nov 30   
Santiago Espinal  • 3B  •  Reds

Santiago Espinal Avoids Arbitration With Reds

Infielder Santiago Espinal and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. Espinal ended up playing a pretty significant role as a utility infielder for the Reds in 2024 after they acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays in March given all of Cincy's injuries to infielders. In 118 games over 391 plate appearances, the Dominican slashed .246/.295/.356 with a below-average .650 OPS, career-high nine home runs, 45 RBI, career-high 11 stolen bases and 32 runs scored. The 30-year-old will stick in the Reds organization for a second season but probably shouldn't be guaranteed nearly as much playing time. Espinal makes plenty of contact and is useful for his ability to play multiple infield positions, but beyond that, there isn't much fantasy upside at all.
Nov 23   
Brady Singer  • SP  •  Reds

Brady Singer Shipped To Cincinnati

The Kansas City Royals are trading right-handed pitcher Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for second baseman Jonathan India, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The 28-year-old spent each of his first five professional seasons with the Kansas City Royals and held an overall 4.28 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP across 685 1/3 innings of work. Last summer, the former first-round pick held a 3.71 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 179 2/3 innings. Singer generated a solid 48.3% ground-ball rate but struggled to limit hard contact as he held a 41.7% hard-hit rate and an 8.0% barrel rate, both below the average marks. Fantasy managers should expect Singer to have a spot in the rotation to begin the season and be viewed as a depth starting pitching option in deeper formats.
Nov 23   
Brady Singer  • SP  •  Royals  |  Jonathan India  • 2B  •  Reds

Reds, Royals Discussing Jonathan India, Brady Singer

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India is one of several hitters that the Kansas City Royals are targeting in a trade, according to sources briefed on the team's talks. On the flip side, right-hander Brady Singer is drawing interest from the Reds and other clubs that are looking to bolster their starting rotations. India and Singer were both first-round picks out of Florida back in 2018. A trade is not imminent, though, and the Royals are also discussing the idea of trading left-hander Kris Bubic or righty Alec Marsh for a young hitter. The 28-year-old Singer is more attractive because he's coming off a career season and is under team control for two more years. Both India and Singer will be eligible for salary arbitration a final time in 2026. Landing India would solve KC's second base woes after they tried five different players at the keystone in 2024.
Nov 18   
Nick Martinez  • SP  •  Reds

Nick Martinez Signs Qualifying Offer With Reds

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez accepted the team's qualifying offer of $21.05 million, returning to the team for a second season. Martinez made a handful of starts in the first month of the season in 2024, but worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen until August when he returned to the rotation. The 34-year-old had stronger numbers overall in 53 1/3 IP as a reliever (1.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 19.6 K-BB%) than in 89 IP as a starter (3.84 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 15.8% K-BB%), however, as a starter in September the righty went 4-1 with a 0.83 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and a 21.8% K-BB% which led to being named MLB's N.L. Pitcher of the Month. Fantasy managers should take note in the spring as to whether or not the Reds plan to use him as a starter again as he could be a potential late-round value if he were able to take that momentum into 2025.
Nov 17   
Matt McLain  • SS  •  Reds

Matt McLain Has Three-Hit, Three-RBI Day For The Desert Dogs

Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain went 3-for-5 with three RBI, a run scored, and stole his first base of the Arizona Fall League on Thursday while manning second base for the Glendale Desert Dogs. The 25-year-old is getting back into the swing of things after missing all of the 2024 regular season due to injury. Through 50 AFL at-bats, McLain is hitting .240 with a pair of doubles and four home runs. When last healthy, the former first-round draft pick put up a .290-16-50-65-14 line in just 89 games in 2023 and could be an under-the-radar value in 2025 fantasy drafts, although it is unclear whether he or former Rookie of the Year Jonathan India will be playing second base for Cincinnati. If McLain were to gain OF eligibility, a position which he's played a little in the AFL, it could make him even more useful for fantasy.
Nov 15   
Matt McLain  • SS  •  Reds

Matt McLain Homers Twice In Arizona Fall League Action

Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain smacked a pair of two-run home runs in a 2-for-5 day at the plate for Glendale in the Arizona Fall League (AFL), his third and fourth homers of the fall season. The 25-year-old missed all of the 2024 regular season due to injuries and is in the AFL trying to knock off some of the rust, while even getting some playing time in the outfield, although Monday he was back at the keystone. Through 11 games in the AFL, McLain is hitting just .220, but six of his nine hits have gone for extra bases. The former first-round draft pick offers multi-category production when healthy and could be a nice value pick in 2025 fantasy drafts since he isn't top-of-mind after missing 2024. When last healthy, McLain put up a .290-16-50-65-14 line in just 89 games in 2023.
Nov 12   
Alex Jackson  • C  •  Reds

Alex Jackson Signs Minor-League Deal With Reds

Free-agent catcher Alex Jackson signed a minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend. Jackson played in a career-high 58 games with the Tampa Bay Rays this past season but continued to struggle offensively, slashing .122/.201/.27 with a career-high-tying three home runs, 12 RBI, one stolen base and 17 runs scored in 155 plate appearances in his fifth big-league season. The 28-year-old backstop hit .238/.322/.533 with eight home runs and 20 RBI in 28 games with Triple-A Durham. As a career .132/.224/.232 hitter in his five major-league seasons, Jackson merely represents catching depth for the Reds and will likely be sent to Triple-A Louisville to start the 2025 season if he's still on the roster following spring training.
Nov 11   
Brent Suter  • RP  •  Reds

Brent Suter Inks Extension With Cincinnati

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brent Suter signed a one-year extension with the Cincinnati Reds that has a club option for 2026 according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Suter typically operated a relief option for the Reds but did manage to make two starts this season. Across 65 2/3 innings of work this summer, the 35-year-old held a 3.15 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, with a 12:50 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, Suter boasted a stellar 30.2% hard-hit rate which is one of the best marks in the sport. Fantasy managers should expect Suter to continue to operate as a relief option in 2025 with the opportunity to earn a few saves.
Nov 1   
Christian Encarnacion-Strand  • 1B  •  Reds

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Activated From Injured List

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand was activated off the 60-day IL on Monday. With Encarnacion-Strand playing in the Arizona Fall League, he was initially on a rehab assignment but with it expiring he needed to be put back on the active roster as he continues to play in the AFL. The 24-year-old hit 32 home runs in 2022 in the minors, then hit another 33 between Triple-A and the majors in 2023, but was limited to just 29 games this season due to a wrist injury that eventually required surgery. Hopefully he can get back on track during the fall and will be ready to fortify the Reds lineup in 2025. Unfortunately for Amed Rosario, the veteran utility player was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Despite hitting .307 in 76 games to start the season for the Rays, Rosario was acquired by the Dodgers and then by the Reds, now having played for five different teams since 2020. The 28-year-old will be a free agent heading into the offseason.
Oct 31   
Matt McLain  • SS  •  Reds

Matt McLain Playing Some Center Field In The AFL

Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain was starting in center field on Tuesday for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League. While the 25-year-old hit a home run in the contest, the fact that he was playing the outfield was perhaps the more intriguing development. He missed all of 2024 with injuries, but when he last played for the Reds in his rookie season of 2023, the former first-round draft pick played only second base or shortstop. As the AFL is where a lot of top talent goes to get some extra reps and potentially work on some specific skills, it seems the Reds are seeing if this gives them some flexibility in how McLain is deployed, as they already have plenty of infield talent including Elly De La Cruz, former NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India, and more. When last healthy, McLain put up a .290-16-50-65-14 line in just 89 games in 2023, so the added versatility could be another way to get his bat in the lineup in 2025.
Oct 31   
Matt McLain  • SS  •  Reds  |  Christian Encarnacion-Strand  • 1B  •  Reds

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain To Play In Arizona Fall League

Cincinnati Reds infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hand), Matt McLain (shoulder) and Edwin Arroyo (shoulder) will play in the Arizona Fall League, which began play on Monday. Both McLain and Arroyo missed all of 2024 after suffering shoulder injuries. McLain also dealt with a stress reaction in his rib cage. He is slated to play shortstop, second base and center field in the AFL, and he could also play in the outfield. If fully healthy in 2025, McLain is expected to mostly see time at second in Cincinnati. Encarnacion-Strand was limited to 29 games before suffering a season-ending hand injury in June that required surgery. He will be available to play first and third base in the AFL and could also see action in the outfield. The 24-year-old will need to prove himself in spring training in order to find consistent playing time to open the 2025 campaign.
Oct 11   
Jonathan India  • 2B  •  Reds

Jonathan India Has "Clean-Up" Surgery On His Ankle

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (ankle) had surgery to "clean up" his ankle, according to president of baseball operations Nick Krall. India will have a normal offseason and is expected to be ready for spring training. The 27-year-old ended up playing second base all year in 2024 with Matt McLain dealing with multiple injuries. Second base is still the only defensive position India has played in the majors after starting 132 games there. However, first base and the outfield could be in play for India in 2025, as well as third base, with McLain returning to play the keystone. Playing time could be an issue for India if McLain can stay healthy next season. In a career-high 151 games in 2024, India slashed .248/.357/.392 with 15 home runs, 58 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 84 runs scored as an everyday player over 637 plate appearances.
Oct 11   
Nick Martinez  • SP  •  Reds

Nick Martinez Expected To Opt Out

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez, who is scheduled to make $12 million next year if he doesn't opt out of his contract, is expected to opt out and hit the free-agent market. Right-hander Emilio Pagan is also expected to opt out and become a free agent. Martinez appeared in 42 games (16 starts) in his first season with the Reds and finished the season in the starting rotation and was the National League Pitcher of the Month for September after going 4-1 with an 0.83 ERA in five starts in September. When/if Martinez opts out, the Reds will have the option of making him a qualifying offer of one year and roughly $21 million for 2025. If the Reds offer it and Martinez rejects, the Reds will receive an extra draft pick as compensation. The 34-year-old was solid in 142 1/3 innings for the Reds, posting a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 116:18 K:BB in his hybrid starter/receiver role.
Oct 11   
Julian Aguiar  • SP  •  Reds

Julian Aguiar To Miss All Of Next Season After Having Tommy John Surgery

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Julian Aguiar (elbow) had Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2025 season. Aguiar, the team's No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline, also ended the 2024 season with a right-shoulder injury. The 23-year-old former 12th-round pick in 2021 out of Cypress College will now focus on rehab all of next year while hoping to be good to go for spring training in 2026. Aguiar made his major-league debut with the Reds in 2024 and made seven starts, struggling to the tune of a 6.25 ERA (6.86 FIP) and a 1.33 WHIP while striking out 19 and walking 12 in 31 2/3 innings pitched. He relies on a fastball-slider mix and occasionally mixes in a curveball and changeup. Aguiar didn't become a full-time pitcher until his junior year in college and was named the Reds' Minor-League Pitcher of the Year in 2023. He has the chance to be a back-end starter for the Reds in 2026.
Oct 8   
Elly De La Cruz  • SS  •  Reds

Elly De La Cruz Ends Season With 67 Stolen Bases

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz showcased his game-breaking speed on Sunday, going 1-for-5 with a triple and two stolen bases in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs. De La Cruz finishes the season with 67 stolen bases, easily good enough for first in the majors. Interestingly enough, though, Elly only stole 10 bags in August and September combined, which equates to a 30-steal pace. That's not bad at all, but it's also not what fantasy managers would expect from the speedster. It was still a great season for the 22-year-old, who showed major improvements at the dish and contributed some power to go along with the speed. He will be a top-20 pick in most drafts next year and could rocket into the top 10 for those chasing upside.
Sep 30   
Noelvi Marte  • 3B  •  Reds

Noelvi Marte Retreats To The Bench On Friday

Cincinnati Reds infielder Noelvi Marte will start on the bench for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Santiago Espinal will start at the hot corner and will bat eighth against Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon. In 13 career at-bats against Taillon, Espinal has hit .231 with a .462 OPS. Marte has been a regular for the Reds at either third base or designated hitter down the stretch and has hit .240 (12-for-50) with two doubles, four RBI, four walks, 18 strikeouts and three stolen bases in 15 games in the month of September. Overall, 2024 has been a disappointment for the 22-year-old Dominican after opening the year serving a suspension. He's managed to hit just .212/.251/.306 with four long balls, 18 RBI and nine stolen bases in 222 at-bats. Espinal will be a low-upside DFS sleeper at the bottom of Cincy's batting order.
Sep 27   
Jonathan India  • 2B  •  Reds

Jonathan India Playing Against Cubs

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (head) is back at second base and atop the batting order as the leadoff hitter for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Chicago Cubs and right-hander Jameson Taillon at Wrigley Field. India was hit in the head by a pitch from Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee on Tuesday and entered the league's concussion protocol. The 27-year-old only missed Wednesday's contest with the Reds having Thursday off. He'll be back in there for the final three games of the regular season this weekend. India has two hits with an RBI in four career at-bats against Taillon but enters Friday's contest on a cold streak of late, going 6-for-28 (.214) with a homer, triple, two RBI and three strikeouts in nine games since Sept. 15. The former National League Rookie of the Year in 2021 will be looking to finish off his 2024 campaign strong.
Sep 27   
Jonathan India  • 2B  •  Reds

Jonathan India Clears Concussion Protocol

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India cleared concussion protocol after being hit in the head with a pitch in Tuesday's game against the Guardians. Although India did not start Wednesday's game versus Cleveland, the 27-year-old did come on as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and later stayed in the game to play second base. The Reds are idle Thursday so look for the former N.L. Rookie of the Year to be back in the lineup for Friday's road game to take on the Cubs. It looked like India had finally found his stroke in June, slashing .380/.454/.587 during the month, but has limped to a .214/.327/.377 line since the beginning of July and owns a .246-15-58-83-13 stat line for the season.
Sep 26   
Jonathan India  • 2B  •  Reds

Jonathan India Not Playing On Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after being hit in the head by a pitch on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians and is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest at Progressive Field. Santiago Espinal will instead get the start at the keystone and will bat seventh versus Guardians right-hander Andrew Walters. Even though India said he was fine after Tuesday's game, it's really no surprise that he's not in the lineup a day later, and it's possible the 27-year-old doesn't play again in 2024 with the regular season ending this Sunday. For now, fantasy managers should consider the former first-rounder to be day-to-day. If India cannot return for the final series of the season this weekend against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, expect to see Espinal make more starts at second.
Sep 25   
LEGEND
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