The Cincinnati Reds have officially released veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario after he cleared waivers following his designation for assignment earlier in the week. The move comes just a year and a half into a three-year, $45 million deal that made Candelario the club’s most expensive free-agent signing in five years.
Candelario, 31, had been sidelined since late April with a lumbar spine strain and was activated from the injured list on Monday after his minor league rehab assignment expired. However, the Reds opted to part ways with him, even while still owing nearly $23 million on his contract.
His performance in 2025 had been disappointing. In just 22 games, he posted a .113 batting average with two home runs and 10 RBIs. His final appearance came on April 27, when he went hitless in four at-bats against the Rockies.
Candelario had shown flashes of potential before arriving in Cincinnati, most notably during a strong 2023 campaign split between the Nationals and Cubs, where he hit a career-best 22 home runs with 70 RBIs. That performance made him a top target in free agency.
Unfortunately for the Reds, the investment didn’t pan out. With Candelario gone, the team has turned the page, committing to younger options in Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third base and Spencer Steer at first.
