The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. In a corresponding move to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Fairchild, the team moved right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez (knee) to the 60-day injured list. Fairchild will head to the National League East to serve as outfield depth for the Braves after they learned on Monday that left fielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. While Bryan De La Cruz should become Atlanta's primary left fielder for the time being, the 29-year-old Fairchild could also see some playing time there. He's mostly a glove-first player, though, as he's slashed only .224/.308/.389 with 18 homers, 66 RBI and 23 steals in 249 games over four MLB seasons.
The Cincinnati Reds designated outfielder Stuart Fairchild for assignment on Wednesday, per The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. Even with Austin Hays (calf) opening the year on the injured list, Fairchild is the odd man out in Cincy's outfield to begin the year after both Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise made the Opening Day roster. The move comes after Fairchild hit just .132 (5-for-38) with two doubles, two RBI, two stolen bases and 13 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances over 21 Cactus League games this spring. The 29-year-old also hit just .215/.286/.368 with a .654 OPS, eight home runs, 30 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 94 games in 2024 in his second full season with the team. He has been a below-average hitter in his four MLB seasons, but he does have speed and can play pretty much anywhere in the outfield, so he should attract interest from outfield-needy teams on waivers.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild (thumb) made another start in center field on Wednesday in a Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Angels. It's Fairchild's third game of the spring -- he went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in his first two contests -- since having surgery on his right thumb late last season. The 28-year-old appears to be a full-go this spring as he competes for a platoon role in Cincy's outfield in 2025. In 94 games in 2024 in his second season with the Reds, Fairchild hit just .215/.286/.368 with a career-high eight home runs, 30 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 33 runs scored in 233 trips to the plate. With no minor-league options left, he's a good bet to be on the team's Opening Day roster in a reserve role. In his time in the big leagues, he's been a below-average hitter with poor plate discipline. His glove is his strength for the Reds.
The Cincinnati Reds moved outfielder Stuart Fairchild (thumb) to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, effectively ending his season. The Reds also selected the contract of left-hander Evan Kravetz from Triple-A Louisville and optioned right-hander Casey Legumina to Louisville. A left-thumb sprain landed Fairchild on the 10-day IL on Tuesday, but now the 28-year-old outfielder will miss the final month of the season while needing to go under the knife. In a platoon role in Cincy's outfield in 2024 in his fourth big-league season, Fairchild wasn't a fantasy option in mixed leagues, slashing a weak .215/.286/.368 with a below-average .654 OPS, a career-high eight home runs, 30 RBI and a career-high 13 stolen bases in 94 games played. Fairchild remains more useful in real life for his defense than for his bat. Until Jake Fraley (knee) returns this weekend, rookie Rece Hinds could see more run for the Reds.
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.
Stuart Fairchild
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Braves
