The Cincinnati Reds welcomed back a key piece of their lineup on Wednesday as veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario was officially activated from the injured list.
Candelario, who had been sidelined with a nagging wrist injury, returns at a critical juncture in the season with the Reds looking to climb in the NL Central standings.
His presence adds power, versatility, and leadership to a lineup that has been inconsistent in recent weeks.
Candelario last played in early May before wrist inflammation forced him to the sidelines. Though the injury was initially not considered serious, the Reds took a cautious approach with his rehab, opting to give him extended time to rest and regain full strength.
He appeared in several rehab games with Triple-A Louisville over the past week, where he showed signs of being back to form, including a multi-hit game and a home run that reassured Reds management he was ready for big-league action.
Signed in the offseason to a three-year, $45 million deal, Candelario was brought in to be a cornerstone of the Reds’ infield and provide a switch-hitting threat in the middle of the order.
Before the injury, he had started to heat up at the plate, collecting extra-base hits in five of his last seven games.
Defensively, his ability to play both third base and first gives manager David Bell flexibility as he juggles the lineup amid several injuries across the roster.
Cincinnati has struggled to find consistency on offense, especially in the absence of several key contributors. The return of Candelario could help stabilize the lineup and provide protection for young stars like Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer.
His veteran presence is also a welcome addition in the clubhouse, where his leadership and experience could help guide a youthful Reds team navigating a tight divisional race.
With the Reds set to face a stretch of tough opponents, Candelario’s return couldn’t come at a better time. The team hopes his bat can spark an offense that ranks in the bottom third of the league in several key categories.
If he can pick up where he left off, Candelario could be a game-changing factor in the Reds’ pursuit of a playoff spot — and fans are certainly ready to see him back in action at Great American Ball Park.
