May 9, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder
Austin Hays (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. In corresponding moves, the Reds optioned outfielders
Blake Dunn and
Jacob Hurtubise and recalled outfielder
Will Benson from Triple-A Louisville. Hays is serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup in Friday's series opener against the Houston Astros and right-hander
Hunter Brown in his return. The 29-year-old spent the minimum 10 days on the IL with a minor hamstring strain. Fantasy managers are hoping he can pick up where he left off after going 19-for-52 (.365) with five homers, 13 RBI, 15 runs and a stolen base in his first 13 games. Hays is a mixed-league fantasy asset as an everyday player hitting in the middle of the Reds' batting order. He's hit .333 with a 1.166 OPS, a homer and three RBI in six career at-bats against Brown.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
May 5, 2025
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder
Austin Hays (hamstring) is doing really well in his rehab from a strained left hamstring and could return from the injured list on Friday. As long as Hays doesn't suffer a setback in the next few days, he could skip a minor-league rehab assignment and rejoin the club for their series opener on Friday in Houston against the Astros. Injuries have been the story of the 29-year-old's season so far in 2025, but when he's been on the field, he's been fantasy worthy in all formats, slashing .365/.431/.712 with five long balls, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored and a stolen base in just 13 games played. When Hays is back, expect him to continue playing regularly for Cincy in left field. Until then, rookie
Tyler Callihan and
Blake Dunn should continue to split playing time for the Reds in left field.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
May 2, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds have placed outfielder
Austin Hays (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 29. The Reds activated backstop
Tyler Stephenson (oblique) from the injured list in a corresponding move. Hays has already had a stint on the injured list due to a calf strain and will now face his second absence of the young campaign. Despite his early-season injuries, Hays has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, posting a stellar .365/.431/.712 slash line with three doubles and five home runs. He has tallied 13 RBI, scored 15 runs, and held a 13:6 K:BB. Under the hood, the 29-year-old has generated a .472 xwOBA, which suggests he should continue to enjoy similar production when he returns to the lineup. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Tyler Callihan and
Blake Dunn to see more opportunities in the starting nine.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
May 1, 2025
Cincinnati Reds outfielder
Austin Hays (hamstring) remains sidelined for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.
Santiago Espinal is starting in left field and will hit fifth against Cardinal left-hander
Matthew Liberatore. Hays injured his left hamstring while running the bases on Monday and will now miss his third straight game as a result. The Reds remain hopeful that the 29-year-old can avoid a trip to the injured list, but that stance could change if he's unable to return during a three-game weekend series against the visiting Washington Nationals. Fantasy managers want Hays back in the lineup as soon as possible, as he's gone 19-for-52 (.365) early on with five homers, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored for the Reds. Espinal is also hitting over .300 in 64 at-bats in 2025 but has yet to homer. He's hitless in just three career at-bats against Liberatore.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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