Cincinnati Reds News

Christian Encarnacion-Strand • 1B • Reds

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Placed On Injured List With Back Inflammation

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Thursday that they placed infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) on the 10-day injured list with lower-back inflammation and recalled infielder Noelvi Marte from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. With Encarnacion out, Jeimer Candelario will move to first base and Santiago Espinal will start at the hot corner on Thursday against the visiting Seattle Mariners. Although Encarnacion-Strand had an RBI double on Wednesday, he started the season going 9-for-57 (.158) with two home runs, five RBI and 13 strikeouts in 15 games played. Hopefully, he'll look better when he gets over his back injury, but it's unclear if he'll have a short stay on the IL. Espinal figures to benefit the most from a playing-time perspective at third base, but Marte could share starts with him at the hot corner. UPDATE: CEH will receive an epidural injection to calm his back down.

0 hour ago

Noelvi Marte • 3B • Reds

Reds Recall Noelvi Marte From Triple-A

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Thursday that they recalled infielder Noelvi Marte from Triple-A Louisville and placed infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move with lower-back inflammation. It didn't take long for Marte to rejoin the big-league roster after he was just optioned to Louisville on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Dominican only saw action in three games before being optioned and went 1-for-6 with a steal and a walk. Jeimer Candelario started at first base on Thursday against the Seattle Mariners, with Santiago Espinal manning third base. Even though Encarnacion-Strand is on the shelf, Marte's opportunities could be limited with the Reds with Spencer Steer (shoulder) getting close to playing first base, which would shift Candelario back to third. At best, Marte is a stash candidate in NL-only leagues for the time being.

5 hours ago

Spencer Steer • LF • Reds

Spencer Steer Getting Close To Playing The Field

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) is getting close to being ready to play first base. "It won't be very long," Francona said. Steer is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Seattle Mariners. Outfielder Austin Hays is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup against Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock. A right-shoulder injury has limited Steer to DH duties early this year, and he's hit just .120 (6-for-50) with a home run and three RBI in the early going. Fantasy managers will be hoping that the 27-year-old will come around offensively as his shoulder gets closer to 100%. With Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) now on the injured list, using Steer at first base would allow the Reds to move Jeimer Candelario back to third base.

8 hours ago

Matt McLain • SS • Reds

Matt McLain Taking The Day Off

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Seattle Mariners at Great American Ball Park. Gavin Lux is starting at the keystone and will hit fifth against Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock. McLain recently returned from the injured list and went 1-for-6 with an RBI, two runs scored, three walks and a strikeout in his first two games back. The Reds will give the 25-year-old former first-rounder a breather before a weekend series in Baltimore against the Orioles that starts on Friday. As long as he stays healthy, McLain will operate as Cincy's primary second baseman and should be relevant in mixed fantasy leagues for his power/speed combination. Lux, also a former first-rounder, is off to a .276 (16-for-58) start for the Reds but is still searching for his first home run.

8 hours ago

Austin Hays • LF • Reds

Austin Hays Homers, Drives In Four On Tuesday

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays turned in a big game in an 8-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. In his debut with the Reds, Hays went 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBI to help spark Cincinnati to the win over Seattle. Hays strained his left calf during Spring Training and had spent all of the early portion of the regular season on the injured list before getting activated ahead of Tuesday's game. He made a good first impression as he blasted a three-run homer off Seattle starter Luis M. Castillo in the fifth inning. Hays is worth monitoring in fantasy moving forward.

Yesterday

Noelvi Marte • 3B • Reds

Noelvi Marte Heads Back To Triple-A

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Tuesday that they optioned infielder Noelvi Marte to Triple-A Louisville. Marte was one of the odd men out with infielder Matt McLain (hamstring) and outfielder Austin Hays (calf) both returning from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. Marte was brought up to Cincy as infield depth when McLain landed on the injured list, but the 23-year-old only appeared in three games and went 1-for-6 at the plate with a steal, two runs scored, and a walk in seven plate appearances. He'll now head back to the farm and bide his time there before eventually getting another shot in the big leagues with the Reds at some point this year. Marte was suspended 80 games last year, and when he returned, he really struggled at the plate. He has an intriguing power-speed combination, but he's facing an uphill battle for playing time in the majors.

Yesterday

Wade Miley • SP • Reds

Wade Miley Getting Close To Rehab Assignment

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Wade Miley (elbow) is scheduled to throw three innings in an extended spring training game on Tuesday in Arizona and then could start a minor-league rehab assignment, according to manager Terry Francona. It's unclear when Miley might be an option to make starts for the Reds in 2025, but the veteran 38-year-old southpaw is clearly making progress after having a hybrid internal-brace/Tommy John procedure on his left UCL last May. He will need a lengthy rehab assignment and probably won't be an option for Cincy's starting rotation until late May or early June, and he doesn't have much fantasy appeal at all these days. Miley made only two starts a season ago with the Milwaukee Brewers before being shut down with his elbow problems, and he allowed five earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two in seven innings.

2 days ago

Tyler Stephenson • C • Reds

Tyler Stephenson Could Start Rehab Assignment Next Week

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (oblique) could start a minor-league rehab assignment next Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona. Stephenson is getting closer to making his 2025 debut with the Reds after suffering a left-oblique strain in mid-March in spring training. Barring a setback to his oblique when he resumes playing in games, the 28-year-old backstop could rejoin the big-league squad late next week. Stephenson is the Reds' starting catcher when healthy and should be stashed in all fantasy formats right now. Until he's activated from the injured list, Cincy will continue to roll with veteran Jose Trevino as their No. 1 catcher, with Austin Wynns backing him up. Last year in 138 games played, Stephenson hit a career-high 19 home runs and drove in a career-high 66 runs while slashing .258/.338/.444.

2 days ago

Spencer Steer • LF • Reds

Spencer Steer Starting On The Bench On Tuesday

Cincinnati Reds outfielder/infielder Spencer Steer will begin Tuesday's game against the visiting Seattle Mariners on the bench at Great American Ball Park. Austin Hays (calf), who is making his season debut, will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth against Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo. Due to a shoulder injury he dealt with in spring training, Steer has yet to appear on defense so far in 2025. However, the 27-year-old has been ramping up his throwing of late and could make his first start on defense soon, which might be bad news for first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Steer's shoulder could be affecting him at the plate as well, as he's started the 2025 campaign hitting just .109 (5-for-46) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, four walks and 12 strikeouts in his first 13 games. Fantasy managers may want to steer clear of Steer for now until he breaks out of his early slump.

2 days ago

Christian Encarnacion-Strand • 1B • Reds

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Returns Against Mariners

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back, hamstring) is back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners, starting at first base and batting seventh against right-hander Luis Castillo at Great American Ball Park. The Reds held Encarnacion-Strand out of action the last two games with minor back and hamstring injuries, but he's ready to go now. The 25-year-old hasn't been a reliable fantasy asset in the early going in 2025, batting .163 (8-for-49) with two home runs, a double, three RBI, three runs scored, one walk and 12 strikeouts in 13 games played. With Austin Hays back, he might need to start picking it up at the plate to continue seeing everyday playing time with the Reds. CEH has never faced Castillo in his career.

2 days ago

Austin Hays • LF • Reds

Austin Hays Activated From Injured List And Starting On Tuesday

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (calf) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Luis Castillo at Great American Ball Park. Outfielder Jacob Hurtubise was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Hays is recovered from a strained calf and will be making his season debut on Tuesday against the M's. The 29-year-old is expected to see regular playing time for the Reds in left field now that he's back, giving him fantasy appeal in deep-mixed leagues. An All-Star in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles, Hays battled injury last year with the Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies and finished with a .255/.303/.396 slash line, five home runs and 20 RBI in 85 total games played. Hays is hitless in two career at-bats against Castillo with one RBI.

2 days ago

Alexis Díaz • RP • Reds

Alexis Diaz Back From Injured List, Not The Set Closer

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Tuesday that they activated right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list prior to their game against the visiting Seattle Mariners. However, manager Terry Francona said that Diaz won't be the set closer upon his activation. The skipper said it's fair to pitch Diaz "when it makes sense." Diaz could get the closer job back eventually this year, but the Reds have been pleased with Emilio Pagan's early-season performance -- 1.23 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, four saves and five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old Diaz not only injured his hamstring in spring training, but he was all over the place with his control and his mechanics were out of whack. Expect the Puerto Rican reliever to start out in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen before eventually being moved to a more high-leverage role. He's still worth stashing in fantasy for save opps this year.

2 days ago

Matt McLain • SS • Reds

Matt McLain Activated From Injured List And Starting On Tuesday

The Cincinnati Reds announced that they have activated infielder Matt McLain (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list, and he is starting at second base and batting second on Tuesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Luis Castillo at Great American Ball Park. McLain will be back in the lineup for the first time since straining his hamstring on April 4. With McLain returning, Gavin Lux moves back to left field and will hit cleanup on Tuesday. McLain, a former first-rounder out of UCLA, did have three home runs in his first eight games before getting injured, but he had also gone just 7-for-28 (.214) in his first 31 plate appearances. It's been a bit of a slow start for the 25-year-old after he missed all of the 2024 campaign, but he's worth rostering in most fantasy leagues for his power/speed upside in a great home hitting environment in Cincy. He has never faced Castillo in his career. Manager Terry Francona said the team may have to manage playing McLain every day over the next week, but other than that he has no limitations.

2 days ago

Austin Hays • LF • Reds

Austin Hays Could Be Back In the Lineup On Tuesday

According to Charles Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine, manager Terry Francona hopes Reds outfielder Austin Hays (calf) will be back on Tuesday and that they'll evaluate him after he plays on Monday. Hays has played three games in Triple-A Louisville thus far after tweaking his calf in spring training. In those three games, he's had 10 plate appearances and has gone 2-for-9 with one home run and two RBI. Last year, Hays spent time with the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies and slashed .255/.303/.396 with five home runs. It will be interesting to see where he fits into the Reds lineup because when he was healthy in 2022 and 2023, Hays hit 32 home runs in those two seasons combined. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider taking a flyer on him to see how it plays out.

3 days ago

Christian Encarnacion-Strand • 1B • Reds

Christian Encarnacion-Strand May Get A Few Days Off

According to Charles Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine, manager Terry Francona said Reds corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back/hamstring) might get a few days off in a row. He said, "CES is banged up (back/hamstring, which he dealt with in 2023), but he should be available off the bench, and it will be good to get him a few stacked days off." The injuries seem minor, considering he is not being placed on the injured list immediately. Encarnacion-Strand has gotten off to a sluggish start to his 2025 campaign, slashing .163/.192/.306 with only two home runs. In his absence, expect Noelvi Marte to occupy third base and continue to see more at-bats while Encarnacion-Strand sits for the next few days.

3 days ago

Alexis Díaz • RP • Reds

No Decision Yet On When Alexis Diaz Will Be Activated

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is nearing a return, as he threw 18 pitches on Sunday in Triple-A Louisville. Still, manager Terry Francona said there's no decision on when Diaz will be activated. Francona said, "it was an encouraging sign to see him throw 14 of 18 strikes yesterday, but we've got some things to figure out". Last season, Diaz struggled at times as he had a walk rate of 12.8 percent, a career low 8.79 K/9, and only a 32.7 percent ground ball rate to go along with his 3.99 ERA and 4.57 FIP. Fantasy managers should expect him to take over closer responsibilities when he does return but may want to limit expectations, as Emilio Pagan has logged four saves and has a 1.23 ERA to start the 2025 season.

3 days ago

TJ Friedl • CF • Reds

TJ Friedl Scores Twice Versus Pirates

Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl went 1-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and one RBI in Sunday's 4-0 home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old is up to a .254 average now (15-for-59), with two doubles, one home run, six RBI and 11 runs scored. Friedl was limited to 85 games in 2024 after thumb, wrist, and hamstring injuries forced him to the IL on three separate occasions. He's been better so far this season, and statcast thinks he's underperforming. The California native has already swiped two bags -- seven off his total of nine last year -- and holds a .273 xBA. Perhaps more encouraging, Friedl's strikeout rate has dropped for the second straight season to 13.8%, presenting as a career-low if it holds.

3 days ago

Chase Petty • SP • Reds

Chase Petty Tosses Five Shutout Frames

Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Chase Petty tossed five shutout innings against Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon. Petty struck out four batters in this outing and allowed just three hits. He served up one free pass. Since allowing six earned runs and six hits in his first start of the campaign, Petty has begun to turn the corner. Over his last two outings, Petty has allowed just one run with a 1.33 WHIP across nine overall frames. Last summer, Petty spent most of his time with Double-A before receiving a brief taste of Triple-A. Through 127 innings of work with Double-A Chattanooga, Petty posted a modest 4.39 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP. The former 26th overall pick could push for a mid-season MLB debut if he continues to succeed with Triple-A Louisville.

3 days ago

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Tosses Seven Shutout Innings

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene has been nearly perfect on the mound over his last few starts. On Sunday, Greene made easy work of the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup. He gave up a double and a walk in the first inning, but escaped without any damage. After that, Greene gave up a hit in the second inning and then retired the next 17 batters he faced. He finished his day with eight strikeouts while allowing two hits over seven innings of work. Greene has now thrown 18.2 innings without allowing a run. He'll take his 0.98 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, with 31 strikeouts into his next start against the Baltimore Orioles. Green is on an elite run right now and needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy formats.

4 days ago

Alexis Díaz • RP • Reds

Alexis Diaz Returns To Clubhouse, Nearing Return

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz (hamstring) has reported to the Reds clubhouse and is nearing a return. According to Charles Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Magazine, Diaz does not know when he will be activated off the 15-day injured list, but the reliever "feels ready to go." Diaz has made five rehab appearances with Triple-A Louisville. He has appeared in each of the past two games. Over his last two outings, Diaz has given up three hits and two runs and struck out four batters. Across the five total rehab innings, he has posted a modest 5.40 ERA with a 2.00 WHIP. Last season, Diaz struggled at times and finished the campaign with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. When Diaz returns, fantasy managers should expect him to see most of the save opportunities, but may not be given a long leash, if these struggles arise again.

4 days ago

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