CINCINNATI — The Reds’ lineup is nearly back to full strength, as outfielder Austin Hays, second baseman Matt McLain, and reliever Alexis Díaz were all activated from the injured list on Tuesday.
All three made immediate impacts in the Reds’ 8-4 win over the Mariners that night. Hays, in his long-awaited Cincinnati debut, went 2-for-4 with four RBIs, highlighted by a three-run homer in the fifth inning. McLain, returning from a hamstring strain that sidelined him since April 5, reached base three times via walks and scored twice.
“I feel good. I felt ready a few days ago,” McLain said postgame.
Hays, who had been recovering from a calf strain suffered on the final day of Spring Training, recently played three rehab games with Triple-A Louisville, where he hit a home run and went 2-for-9. “Honestly, I felt really comfortable in the box,” Hays said. “My timing felt good.”
Hays joined the Reds this offseason on a one-year, $5 million deal—the team’s only free-agent signing for an offensive player. Manager Terry Francona mentioned the team will monitor their workloads in the short term: “We may have to use some decent judgment the first week to 10 days, but it’ll be good to have them back.”
Still missing from the Reds’ regular lineup is catcher Tyler Stephenson, who’s on the IL with an oblique strain. He began catching bullpen sessions Tuesday and could begin a rehab assignment next week.
As for Alexis Díaz, the 2023 All-Star returned from a hamstring issue after posting a 5.40 ERA over five rehab outings. Though he’s back, Francona isn’t immediately using him as the closer. Instead, he entered in the sixth inning Tuesday, where he walked two and threw 26 pitches before being replaced by Graham Ashcraft, who escaped the inning unscathed.
Francona noted that the bullpen will be managed based on matchups, and Emilio Pagán remains the closer for now, having converted all four of his save chances.
Díaz remains focused regardless of his role: “Whatever inning they bring me in, it’s the same mentality. I just want to pitch well and help the team,” he said through interpreter Tomas Vera.
Cincinnati’s reinforcements arrive as the team finds its rhythm, having won six of its last eight games following a tough losing skid that featured three straight 1-0 losses.
In related moves, the Reds optioned outfielder Jacob Hurtubise and infielder Noelvi Marte to Triple-A Louisville. Marte, the organization’s top prospect going into 2024, was called up on April 8 and appeared in three games, going 1-for-6 with a walk.
Left-handed reliever Sam Moll was also placed on the 15-day IL with a left shoulder issue, clearing space for Díaz’s return.
