In a surprising and bold roster decision, the Cincinnati Reds reinstated Jeimer Candelario from the injured list—only to immediately designate him for assignment. This abrupt move likely marks the end of Candelario’s underwhelming stint in Cincinnati, which lasted just 132 games.
Candelario had been sidelined with a back injury since April 30. However, his struggles began well before that, as he was batting a dismal .113/.198/.213 over his first 22 games in 2025. Many fans suspected his IL stint was a way to avoid cutting him prematurely, but after failing to rebound, the Reds made the tough call.
The team signed Candelario to a three-year, $45 million deal before the 2024 season, but the investment never paid off. Aside from a strong stretch in June of last year, he failed to deliver, finishing 2024 with a .225/.279/.429 slash line and an 87 wRC+ before another IL stint. His 2025 campaign didn’t show signs of improvement—he was hitting just .211 with a .652 OPS in 15 Triple-A rehab games.
This move, though costly, will likely be welcomed by fans who had grown frustrated with Candelario’s performance. It’s also a strong signal that the Reds are prioritizing contention now, rather than waiting on an expensive veteran to regain form.
Additionally, the decision suggests that manager Terry Francona is still backing Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who had recently been benched. With Candelario out and Noelvi Marte expected to return soon from an oblique injury, a clearer path to playing time is emerging.
Financially, the Reds are still responsible for Candelario’s contract, which runs through 2026 and carries a remaining $32 million. The team has about a week to trade or release him, but with that contract, a release and eventual minor-league signing elsewhere seem most likely.
This type of decisive action is uncharacteristic for the Reds—but fans hoping for a postseason push will view it as a positive step. With the trade deadline approaching, Cincinnati appears poised to be active and aggressive in improving the roster.
