The Cincinnati Reds got a bit of encouraging news on Thursday, as outfielder Austin Hays began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. Hays has been recovering from a mild left calf strain he suffered at the end of spring training.
Though his recovery appears to be on track, he’s expected to spend a few more days in the minors to get in some game action before coming off the 10-day injured list. With Matt McLain on the IL and Gavin Lux now handling second base duties, Hays could return to a near-everyday role in left field once he rejoins the major league roster.
Hays was a key offseason addition for the Reds and quickly made an impression during spring training. He batted .310 and led the team with 14 RBIs, hitting two doubles, two triples, and three home runs.
It was a promising stretch for Hays, especially after an injury-plagued 2024 season split between the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. His strong and healthy spring gave fans hope that he could play a more consistent role in Cincinnati’s lineup this season.
The Reds could certainly use his bat. Their offense has struggled mightily to start the year, with the team slashing just .206/.267/.329, ranking last in the league with a 63 wRC+. Aside from two high-scoring games, they’re averaging only 1.75 runs per contest.
Despite some solid work from the pitching staff, the lack of offensive production has made it difficult for the team to win games.
Pitching has been a surprising strength for the Reds. Their starting rotation is among the best in the league, ranking third in both ERA (2.81) and FIP (2.85), while the overall staff sits fourth in ERA (3.15). Unfortunately, those efforts have often been wasted due to the team’s inability to score consistently.
The bullpen has been less reliable, particularly with closer Alexis Díaz sidelined by a hamstring injury. The relief corps owns a 3.86 ERA and 4.91 FIP, and late-game struggles have contributed to a number of painful losses.
Most notably, the Reds blew a 6-1 lead in an extra-inning loss on Wednesday, dropping their record to 5-8 as they returned home to Great American Ball Park. With Hays nearing a return, the team is hoping his presence can help ignite an offense that desperately needs a lift.
