The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Stuart Fairchild (back) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and designated infielder Edwin Rios for assignment in a corresponding move. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will need to check back soon to see if Fairchild is back in Cincy's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Washington Nationals to begin the second half of the season. The 28-year-old outfielder has been out since July 7 with a spine disc injury but should return to seeing pretty regular playing time, at least until TJ Friedl (hamstring) returns from the IL later this month. Fairchild is more valuable for his glove work in the outfield and his speed for the Reds than he is for his bat, as he's slashing just .224/.298/.347 with five home runs, 23 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 170 at-bats this year.
The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Stuart Fairchild (spine) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 7) on Monday with a spine-disc injury and recalled outfield prospect Rece Hinds from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Fairchild, who injured his back in Saturday's loss to the Detroit Tigers, may not be ready to return to the Reds for the start of the second half of the season after the All-Star break. It's bad timing for the 28-year-old, who was in a regular role in the outfield with so many of the Reds' outfielders already injured. With both Fairchild and TJ Friedl (hamstring) on the IL now, Will Benson, Blake Dunn and Austin Slater should battle for playing time in center field. The left-handed-hitting Benson is in center on Monday and is batting ninth against Colorado Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild is out of the lineup on Saturday. Fairchild, though not a platoon matchup, has not fared well against right-handers this season and has been much better against lefties. With Walker Buehler starting for the Dodgers today the Reds are finding it best to find a matchup against a left-handed reliever later in the game. Fairchild hit a solo shot off left-hander James Paxton on Friday, so there's no reason to worry about Fairchild's overall health and instead this is just a matchup play. Will Benson will man center field for the Reds on Saturday. Expect Fairchild back in the lineup soon, though he's not scheduled to face another left-handed starter until June 2nd when he faces Cubs starter Justin Steele.
Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild Could See Time In Center Field
With Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list with a fractured right wrist, Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild could see additional playing time to start the season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Manager David Bell said, "It's all going to work out. I'm focused on the guys we have here." The 25-year-old Benson had a successful 2023 season in limited playing time but is batting just .200 in 25 spring at-bats. Fairchild has yet to stick in a big-league role but is hitting .360 with three home runs in 25 spring at-bats. From a fantasy perspective, Benson's potential to provide power and speed seems to give him the edge over Fairchild in deeper leagues. However, fantasy managers should watch for further news as the regular season approaches.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild was removed from the game Sunday after the second inning. Now undergoing tests for a concussion, more should be known about Fairchild later so make sure to check back.
The Cincinnati Reds demoted outfielder Stuart Fairchild to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The 27-year-old added some value to the club's offense over 66 games, slashing .237/.339/.404 with four homers, 26 runs, 22 RBI, and nine stolen bases. In a corresponding move, the Reds have promoted right-hander Brett Kennedy. The former 11th-rounder will start Tuesday's game against Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals. Kennedy hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2018 when he posted a 6.75 ERA across 26.2 innings. He's pitched to a 3.71 ERA with 37 strikeouts through 43.2 innings at Triple-A this season, and fantasy managers should leave him on the waiver wire in just about every format.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild (neck) remains out of the team's lineup on Saturday against the Houston Astros. Fairchild was scratched from Friday's lineup with neck stiffness and he's not ready to return yet this weekend. He's currently riding a three-game hitting streak, but he's gone just 8-for-40 (.200) overall in 12 games in the month of July with a double, three home runs, seven RBI and two stolen bases in 46 plate appearances. The 27-year-old outfielder is mostly useful for his speed (eight stolen bases) in NL-only leagues. He's hitting .234 overall with four homers, 22 RBI and 24 runs scored. With Fairchild out again Saturday, Nick Senzel is starting in left field and is batting eighth against Astros right-hander Brandon Bielak.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Stuart Fairchild has been optioned to the minors on Sunday. The 25-year-old was hitting .315/.390/.596 with six home runs in the minors, but struggled during his brief time in the MLB. In a corresponding move, outfielder Henry Ramos has been recalled by the team. He was hitting .371/.439/.582 with 12 home runs and 57 RBI during his time in Triple-A this season. The 29-year-old will make his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game. Fantasy managers can ignore both players going forward.
The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled outfielder Stuart Fairchild from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Nick Heath to Reno in a corresponding move. Fairchild, the team's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had five home runs in his last 15 games for Reno. The 25-year-old right-handed hitter has a chance to earn an everyday role in the outfield for the lowly D-backs in the second half of the season if he carries over his success from the minors. In 17 games for Reno this year, he was slashing a healthy .328/.411/.672 with six home runs, 18 RBI and two stolen bases in 73 plate appearances. Those in deep mixed and NL-only leagues should keep an eye on him if he starts to receive regular playing time. Fairchild isn't flashy, but he has good strike-zone judgment, instincts and plenty of versatility.
