Cincinnati Reds News

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Chase Burns • SP • Reds

Chase Burns Working on Adding a Sinker

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns (groin) was working on a sinker in his final starts before being placed on the 15-day injured list with a groin strain, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Charlie's Chalkboard Substack. Burns put together a dominant season in 2026, recording a 15-3 record with a 2.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts across 154 1/3 innings (29 starts). However, Burns threw almost exclusively four-seam fastballs and sliders, mixing in the occasional changeup as well. Burns told Goldsmith that adding the sinker and continuing to develop his changeup should help him go deeper into games. If Burns can successfully add a sinker to his repertoire over the offseason, he could take his production to an even higher level in 2027.

4 days ago

Chase Burns • SP • Reds

Reds Place Chase Burns on Injured List With Groin Strain

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Sunday that they placed right-hander Chase Burns (groin) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 19) with a strained right groin and selected the contract of right-hander Carson Spiers from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. The Reds had been working to limit the young right-hander's innings in recent weeks, and now his 2026 season will come to an end with a week remaining on the schedule. The 23-year-old former second overall pick in 2024 from Wake Forest University had a fantastic first full season in the majors this year, earning his first All-Star nod while going 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA (3.24 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, and 185:56 K:BB in 154 1/3 innings pitched across his 29 starts for the Reds. Burns recorded a strong 29.4% strikeout rate while walking 8.9% of the batters he faced. He is one of the best upside arms in terms of strikeout stuff in the big leagues, as long as he can stay healthy going forward. The native of Italy was limited to exactly three innings in each of his final three starts in 2026, allowing four earned runs while walking six and striking out 14.

7 days ago

Alfredo Duno • C • Reds

Since Return From Injury, Alfredo Duno Has Done Nothing But Hit

Cincinnati Reds catcher prospect Alfredo Duno came back from a right hamstring injury on August 26 and since then has been red-hot with the bat for Double-A Chattanooga. Since that return date, Duno has hit 20-for-55 (.364) with no homers and six RBI. Altogether this season, between two levels of the minors, the 20-year-old is hitting .281 with 19 homers and 61 RBI in 363 at bats with 64 runs scored. The right-handed hitter is the top overall prospect in the Reds system and figures to be their catcher of the future. He has a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power. At just 20 years old, Duno has done a nice job so far in the minor leagues. While there is growth to be had, he looks like a future big league star and a plus fantasy contributor. It's nice to see him hit so well coming back from his injury to close out the season. He appears to be a few years away from a big-league debut.

Sep 18

Héctor Rodríguez • RF • Reds

Hector Rodriguez Remains an Intriguing Power Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 124 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in early August, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Hector Rodriguez is hitting .224/.274/.379 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and 14 runs scored. Swing-and-miss has been an issue for Rodriguez early in his big-league career, as he's struck out in 25.8% of his trips to the plate. His underlying batted-ball metrics don't leap off the page either, as he's posted just a 6.0% barrel rate and a 33.3% hard-hit rate. However, Rodriguez showcased high-end power upside in the minors this season, hitting 27 home runs across 455 plate appearances with Triple-A Louisville. He's also emerged as the everyday right fielder in Cincinnati, which figures to continue as the Reds try to evaluate their roster ahead of 2027. For fantasy managers searching for power potential on the waiver wire, Rodriguez is a logical target.

Sep 16

Héctor Rodríguez • RF • Reds

Hector Rodriguez a High-Upside Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 102 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in early August, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Hector Rodriguez is hitting .266/.324/.457 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and 14 runs scored. Swing-and-miss is a red flag in the 22-year-old's profile, as he's struck out in 28.4% of his plate appearances. With middling barrel (7.7%) and hard-hit (33.8%) rates, Rodriguez's underlying batted-ball metrics at the big-league level are not amazing either. However, the young outfielder put up monster power numbers in the minors this season before getting promoted, hitting 27 home runs across 455 plate appearances at Triple-A. He's also taken over as the Reds' everyday right fielder and should get an extended run to prove himself as the season winds to a close. Fantasy managers in search of power upside on the waiver wire may want to target Rodriguez.

Sep 10

Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Eugenio Suarez Back From Personal Matter on Friday

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for Friday's contest against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan at Great American Ball Park, per MLB.com. Suarez missed the final two games of the series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday to take his US naturalization test, but he is back now and ready for the weekend series in Cincy. The Reds placed the 35-year-old Venezuelan on outright waivers recently, but he was not picked up and will finish out the 2026 season with the Reds before becoming a free agent this winter. Suarez still has some pop, but he is striking out 35% of the time in his 13th MLB season. The two-time All-Star is also hitting just .206 (77-for-373) with a .298 on-base percentage, 20 home runs, 59 RBI, and 36 runs scored across 107 games and 426 plate appearances this year. It has been a steep decline for Suarez, who tied a career high with 49 round-trippers in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.

Sep 4

Sal Stewart • 1B • Reds

Sal Stewart Riding Second-Half Surge into Final Month of 2026

Across 607 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart is hitting .266/.336/.485 with 31 home runs, 105 RBI, 80 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. The 22-year-old has been one of the most consistent run producers in baseball this season, as he currently leads MLB in RBI. Stewart went through a moderate dry spell in the middle of the season, but he just finished up a scorching hot August. Across 126 plate appearances last month, the young slugger hit .304 with eight home runs and 21 RBI. In 189 plate appearances since the All-Star break, Stewart has posted an .859 OPS with 12 long balls and 40 RBI. As September gets underway, Stewart looks like a premium option at either corner infield spot for fantasy managers.

Sep 2

Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Eugenio Suarez to Miss Next Two Games for US Naturalization Test

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez will miss the team's next two games to close out the series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday in order to take the US naturalization test, according to Theo DeRosa of MLB.com. Suarez is a Venezuelan native who makes his home in Miami, and he is seeking US citizenship. The 35-year-old is choosing to remain in the US for good after signing with the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent at the age of 17 in 2008. Suarez has played for the Tigers, Reds, Seattle Mariners, and Arizona Diamondbacks during his 13-year major-league career. The Reds recently put Suarez on outright waivers as a way to get out of paying him his remaining salary for the 2026 season, but there were no takers on waivers, so he is set to close out the year in Cincy. He signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Reds after hitting 49 home runs last season, but he is currently slashing just .206/.298/.410 with 20 homers and 59 RBI in 2026. Suarez still has pop, but his high rate of swings and misses makes him a major drain on average and on-base percentage.

Sep 1

Chase Burns • SP • Reds

Chase Burns Will Face Workload Limitations Down the Stretch

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona announced on Monday that starting pitcher Chase Burns will be on an innings/pitch-count restriction following his next scheduled start on Monday, Sept. 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, per Joe Danneman of Fox 19 Cincinnati. After the start against the Dodgers, Burns will start games and then be followed by Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson. Burns has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, recording a 15-3 record with a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts across 145 1/3 innings (26 starts). The 23-year-old has averaged 97.7 miles per hour on his fastball while posting an excellent 28.9% strikeout rate. However, the Reds have all but been eliminated from postseason contention this season. It appears the team is looking to limit Burns' workload in an effort to keep him healthy long-term. Fantasy managers can still rely on Burns for solid ratios, but he may not provide many strikeouts or any wins in his final few appearances of 2026.

Aug 31

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz Serving as the DH on Monday

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for the Reds in Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Michael King at Great American Ball Park, according to MLB.com. Matt McLain will start at shortstop and bat seventh. Fantasy managers had a scare in Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs when De La Cruz was pulled early with tightness in his left quad, but he will be back a day later as the DH. Even if the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is not as aggressive on the base paths on Monday, he needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups in traditional leagues. The two-time All-Star is a five-category contributor and is currently slashing .271/.350/.479 with an .828 OPS, 21 homers, 60 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 468 at-bats this year. De La Cruz will be looking to finish off August on a strong note. He has gone hitless in just five career at-bats against King.

Aug 31

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz Diagnosed With Left-Quad Tightness

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) was diagnosed with left-quad tightness after he exited in the seventh inning of Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs. De La Cruz was replaced in the lineup by Ivan Johnson, but not before he went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, a run, and two strikeouts. The 24-year-old owns a .269/.349/.476 slash line with 21 home runs, 60 RBI, 24 steals, a 10.7% walk rate, a 27.0% strikeout rate, and a career-high 125 wRC+ this season. De La Cruz avoided injury throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but he missed three weeks earlier this year due to a right hamstring strain, and now it appears that he's banged up once again. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for additional injury updates from the Reds after Sunday night's game goes final. UPDATE: FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith reports that De La Cruz has a chance to play in Monday's series opener against the San Diego Padres.

Aug 30

Edwin Arroyo • 2B • Reds

Edwin Arroyo Has Big Potential After Late-Season Call-Up

Cincinnati Reds middle-infield prospect Edwin Arroyo was recalled by the Reds from Triple-A Louisville on Friday and has the potential to be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues down the stretch. Arroyo was 0-for-1 in his return to Cincinnati on Saturday after making an appearance in the big leagues earlier this season. The infielder was hitting pretty well for Louisville in August with four homers and nine RBI while hitting .261. At Louisville this season, Arroyo had 285 at-bats in 72 games with 15 homers and 43 RBI and hit .309. Arroyo made his first appearance with the Reds on June 1, and he spent two full months playing in Cincinnati with the big-league club. The 23-year-old switch-hitter hit .242 in 132 at-bats with no homers and five RBI and 13 runs scored. Look for Arroyo to be a help in the batting average and runs scored categories specifically.

Aug 30

Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Eugenio Suarez Clears Waivers, Staying With Reds

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez and outfielder TJ Friedl have both cleared waivers and will be with the team in Chicago on Friday for their series opener against the division-rival Cubs at Wrigley Field, team sources told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. The Reds placed Suarez and Friedl on outright waivers on Wednesday night, but they have gone unclaimed and are likely to finish out the 2026 season with the Reds before moving on as free agents this winter. Suarez, 35, has 19 home runs in 361 at-bats in 2026, including a big grand slam in an improbable comeback win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, but he's also hitting just .208/.295/.410 with a .705 OPS and a career-high 34.9% strikeout rate in his 13th year in the big leagues. The Reds were hoping another team might take Suarez and his $3 million salary the rest of the way off their hands as they look to save a little money going into the offseason. Suarez will remain with Cincy for just over a month left in the season, where he'll provide fantasy managers with some pop but little else.

Aug 27

Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Reds Place Slugger Eugenio Suarez on Outright Waivers

The Cincinnati Reds placed third baseman Eugenio Suarez and outfielder T.J. Friedl on outright waivers on Wednesday, people briefed on the process told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The other 29 MLB teams can claim either player during a 48-hour period before waivers expire, but the likelihood is that both Suarez and Friedl will clear and remain with the Reds, unless the Reds move to cut ties by designating one or both for assignment. The 35-year-old Suarez is owed just less than $3 million for the remainder of the 2026 season, while the 31-year-old Friedl is owed slightly more than $700,000. Neither player was popular at the trade deadline, and they are both not expected to return to Cincy in 2027. Suarez had a grand slam in the team's miraculous seven-run, ninth-inning rally on Wednesday to beat the San Francisco Giants, but the 13-year veteran came into the contest with a .205 average, 18 home runs, 53 RBI, and a career-worst 34.8% strikeout rate. Suarez also missed almost a month earlier this season with a strained left oblique. He still has pop, but he strikes out way too much, and the Reds could save money before the end of the year on a player that isn't going to be part of their future.

Aug 27

Edwin Arroyo • 2B • Reds

Edwin Arroyo Heating Back Up at Triple-A

Cincinnati Reds infielder Edwin Arroyo is starting to pick up the pace at Triple-A Louisville, now 13-for-36 (.361) over his last 10 games for the Bats, including three doubles and three home runs. The former second-rounder was also hitting well earlier this year, which earned him a promotion to the big-league club back in early June, now with a .314/.377/.557 slash line with 15 home runs and 13 steals in 70 games with Louisville. The switch-hitter's hot hitting didn't quite translate to the majors, batting .244 (exactly league average) but with just a .286 on-base percentage, .282 slugging percentage (zero home runs), and one stolen base. Even so, there is enough power and speed to make him intriguing for fantasy if he can somehow put it together the next time he's recalled, so fantasy managers in very deep leagues should monitor for any developments, although he is not necessarily a stash target at this time.

Aug 25

Edwin Arroyo • 2B • Reds

Edwin Arroyo Could Be Good Bet to Get Back to Cincinnati

Cincinnati Reds middle-infield prospect Edwin Arroyo had a stint with the Reds earlier this season but has just put in a productive month of August back at Triple-A Louisville. Arroyo hit four homers with nine RBI this month while hitting .305 back in the minors. He made a good case for himself to make a return to the major leagues with Cincinnati. The infielder had a stint in the majors in July and hit .244 with no homers and five RBI in 131 major-league at-bats. Aside from his month-long MLB stint, Arroyo has played all of his ball at Triple-A this season, hitting 15 homers with 43 RBI to go with 13 stolen bases and a .319 batting average in 276 at-bats with Louisville. He earned his first call-up, and based on how he's hitting for Louisville, he might get another chance this season. Fantasy managers will want to pay close attention to how Cincinnati handles Arroyo's situation.

Aug 23

Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan Dealing With Hand Soreness

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed closer Emilio Pagan (hand) was dealing with some hand soreness, which is why he wasn't available to pitch in the ninth inning in Thursday's win over the Chicago White Sox, according to Chatterbox Sports. Francona said that Pagan is going to be looked at on Friday morning, and if he checks out well, he should be available out of the bullpen for Friday's series opener at home against the Miami Marlins. With Pagan unavailable on Thursday, Julian Garcia recorded his second career save while allowing a run in the process. If Pagan's hand injury keeps him out longer, Garcia, Tejay Antone, and Pierce Johnson could all be options for saves for Francona. The 35-year-old Pagan missed a big chunk of the season in the first half due to a hamstring strain, and he has a less-than-ideal 4.10 ERA in 26 1/3 innings, but he's Cincy's primary closer when healthy and has 14 saves on the year. Francona has been pretty loyal to Pagan as his primary ninth-inning man.

Aug 14

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Undergoes Tommy John Surgery, Expected to Miss All of 2027

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of 2026 and the entire 2027 season, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Greene missed the start of the 2026 season after undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone chips and loose bodies in March. It was announced last week that the 27-year-old would require a second elbow surgery, which it now appears was indeed the second Tommy John procedure of his career. It's a devastating blow for the Reds, as Greene has shown elite upside when healthy. Across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts) in 2025, Greene recorded a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts. Given his extremely uncertain health outlook going forward, Greene's future fantasy value is difficult to project until he gets back onto a mound.

Aug 13

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene To Undergo Right-Elbow Surgery

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (right elbow) will undergo surgery after seeking a second opinion, according to Pat Brennan. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said the procedure will involve the area around the ligament, though doctors will not know exactly what needs to be repaired until the operation begins. Greene already underwent surgery in March to remove bone chips and loose bodies from the same elbow before returning July 4. He made only five starts, going 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA, nine walks, and 33 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings before returning to the injured list Aug. 5. Fantasy managers can move on in redraft leagues. His outlook for 2027 will depend heavily on what surgeons find and the type of procedure ultimately performed.

Aug 7

JJ Bleday • LF • Reds

JJ Bleday a Fine Source of Power Off the Waiver Wire

Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday may only be hitting .230 (70-for-304) on the year in 86 games and 361 plate appearances, but he reached the 20-homer mark for the second time in the last three seasons in Thursday's 6-5 win over the Athletics and is worth waiver-wire consideration down the stretch in fantasy baseball leagues if you need power. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has had a resurgence in 2026 in his first season in Cincinnati, and he has also dropped his strikeout rate from 26.5% last year to 21.3% this year while posting a career-best 14.4% walk rate. The former fourth overall pick by the Miami Marlins in 2019 from Vanderbilt University has hit under .200 with just five of his 20 homers on the year, and although he hit just over the Mendoza Line in 25 games in July, he did manage to hit six home runs in the month. Bleday definitely has his flaws, but fantasy managers shouldn't ignore his power from the left side. He's currently rostered in only 26% of Yahoo leagues.

Aug 7

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