Outfielder Austin Hays is on the verge of returning to the Cincinnati Reds after nearly a month on the sidelines. He was recently assigned to Double-A Chattanooga for a rehab stint as he works his way back from a foot injury suffered on May 28, when he fouled a ball off his foot during a game against the Kansas City Royals.
That incident led to his third trip to the injured list this season, limiting his availability for much of the year.
Hays began his rehab assignment as a designated hitter, going 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in his first outing. He followed that up by playing six innings in left field and logging another hit at the plate, showing encouraging signs of recovery.
According to the Reds’ coaching staff, his return is progressing well, and his performance in Chattanooga is being closely monitored.
The Reds are hopeful that Hays will be cleared to rejoin the major league roster in time for their upcoming series against the San Diego Padres.
While the team has managed to stay competitive in his absence, Hays’ return would offer a much-needed boost to both the lineup and clubhouse. His presence has been sorely missed, especially with the club dealing with other injury issues and inconsistent offense.
When healthy, Hays has been one of Cincinnati’s most reliable and productive hitters this season. Through just 31 games, he’s slashed .303/.346/.555 with 15 extra-base hits, 25 RBIs, and 23 runs scored. The main challenge has been keeping him on the field, as he’s already missed 48 games due to injury.
As Hays wraps up his rehab assignment, all signs point toward a return to the Reds’ active roster within days. The team is eager to get him back in the lineup, where his bat and outfield defense could play a key role as Cincinnati pushes through a critical stretch of the season.
