Ke'Bryan

Hayes

Hayes struck out twice. The 29-year-old defensive wizard remains a complete non-factor at the plate and can be safely ignored in all fantasy leagues. He returned to Cincinnati’s lineup on Friday following a seven-week absence due to a back injury.

Hayes will likely be in the lineup tonight with Matt McLain on his way to the injured list. Fantasy leaguers should probably maintain a wait-and-see approach with Hayes after his abysmal early-season struggles. There’s a non-zero chance we see some passable fantasy production from Hayes, as we have in flashes over the years. He’s hard to count on at this point.

It was a box score-stuffing night for Hayes, who also played the entire game at third base. He’s played only four rehab games so far, but he seems like he’ll be ready to go after the All-Star break. Since Hayes has no minor league options left, the Reds will likely need to decide whether to send down Edwin Arroyo or Matt McLain when Hayes is ready to come back. Another option could be Nathaniel Lowe, who has hit just .203/.313/.261 with a 34 percent strikeout rate in 27 games since June 1st.

Hayes will probably need at least until the All-Star break to get ready to go, at which point it seems likely that the Reds might part ways with Matt McLain from a deep infield mix. Edwin Arroyo has just a .257/.309/.297 line he’s posted in his first 82 plate appearances, but the Reds have seemingly committed to him at second base.

Francona mentioned that the stabilization program is to “get his core at a certain place so he can handle what’s ahead of him.” The Reds have also spoken to Hayes about working on the adjustments that the hitting coaches want him to do, so he may have an extended rehab stint once he gets into a game, so that he can iron out those adjustments. The Reds’ offense may also be better off with Eugenio Suarez at third base and Edwin Arroyo starting in the infield, so there may not be a rush to get Hayes back into the lineup.

Hayes is officially dealing with a lumbar bulging disc injury, and the move is retroactive to May 21. Eugenio Suárez (oblique) was reinstated off the IL as the corresponding move. Hayes hasn’t come close to matching the offensive upside he flashed back in 2020, but he was hitting poorly even by his standards this season, entering Friday with a .142/.195/.225 slash line. He wasn’t playing every day prior to this injury and remains under contract through 2029.

Ouch. Hayes is hitting a pretty incredible .142/.195/.225 through 128 plate appearances. Statcast thinks he’s been extremely unlucky, as he entered tonight with a .262 xBA and a .417 xSLG. He has underachieved some on his xSLG previously, but never like this, and his average and xBA have always matched up very closely prior to this year. Hayes also has a career-best 16 percent strikeout rate. So, he’s probably not going to continue to be anywhere near this bad. It’s just hard to sell Reds fans on that idea right now.

Stewart had a big game on Tuesday night as he looks to break out of his cold stretch. However, what’s more important here is that this could be a pathway to future playing time for him and the Reds. With Eugenio Suarez (oblique) nearing a return and Nathaniel Lowe hitting well, Stewart could see more time at third base when everybody is healthy at the expense of Ke’Bryan Hayes’ playing time.

Lowe has been swinging a hot bat for the Reds, slashing .273/.333/.636 with six homers and 11 RBI over 60 plate appearances in his last 16 games. He’ll get a breather in this one though. Sal Stewart will serve as the team’s designated hitter while Spencer Steer covers first base and Ke’Bryan Hayes draws a start at the hot corner.

Stewart has made five appearances at third base this season, but this is his first start. He started four games for the Reds there last year and plenty in the minor leagues, so we know he can play the position. What’s most interesting is that this allows the Reds to get Nathaniel Lowe in the lineup at first base and could open up a path to play both Stewart and Lowe when Eugenio Suarez (oblique) is off the IL and back at DH. This could be bad news for Ke’Bryan Hayes’ playing time.