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Cincinnati Reds infielder Jeimer Candelario
Jeimer Candelario hits IL but Reds dodge bigger lineup scare..
It could have been worse.
Reds fans hoping to see Jeimer Candelario removed the active roster finally got their wish. The slumping infielder was not DFA’d, but instead landed on the 10-day IL with a lumbar spine strain. On the plus-side, however, Austin Hays — who has been dealing with a hamstring injury remains on the active roster, though he’s not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the Cincinnati Reds doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Reds also made the previously announced prospect transactions official. Infielder Tyler Callihan will take Candelario’s spot on the 26-man roster and right-hander Chase Petty will make his major league debut for Game 2 of tonight’s doubleheader.
Callihan has been swinging a hot-bat at Triple-A Louisville all season and owns a .303 batting average with four home runs. He’ll make his big league debut in left field for the Reds during Game 1 against the Cardinals this afternoon.
Cincinnati Reds infielder Jeimer Candelario
Jeimer Candelario hits IL, but Reds keep Austin Hays on the active roster despite injury scare
Candelario was tracking toward a possible release given his play of late. The Reds’ biggest free agent acquisition a year ago had a pitiful .113/.198/.213 slash line with just two home runs this season. Perhaps his back injury had something to do with his poor production, and the Reds can now allow the veteran to heal up before recalling him back to the major league roster.
The #Reds today recalled from Triple-A Louisville IF Tyler Callihan, added RHP Chase Petty to the Taxi Squad, and placed on the 10-day injured list IF Jeimer Candelario (lumbar spine strain, retro to 4/28). Petty is scheduled to start game 2 of the doubleheader.
Cincinnati Reds infielder Jeimer Candelario
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 30, 2025
Adding Callihan gives Reds manager Terry Francona tons of options. The 24-year-old has experience all over the infield, but is probably best suited for second base. The Reds expanded his repertoire last season by adding the outfield to the list of positions he can play. Most of his starts at Triple-A this season were split between second base and left field.
It’ll be curious to see if Hays is in the Reds starting lineup for Game 2 against St. Louis or if he enters the first game of the doubleheader as a pinch hitter. Hays has already been sidelined once this season with a lower body injury, and Reds fans are holding their breath that his current ailment doesn’t cause him to join Candelario on the IL.
Jeimer Candelario just hit same crossroads that sparked Joey Votto’s 2020 comeback.
It worked once before.
