Cincinnati Reds beloved star has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left calf strain, the team announced Wednesday. It has happened at an unfortunate time, just one day before the Reds’ season opener against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park. The move, retroactive to March 24,
Manager Terry Francona downplayed the severity of the injury, describing it as a minor strain. However, given Hays’ history of lower-body injuries, the Reds are opting for a cautious approach. “He had a scan today, and it’s a very low-grade strain,” Francona said. “But last year, he tried to play through it and ended up in trouble. We need to take care of it now. He’s not sure when it happened.”
While the initial timeline suggests outfielder Austin Hays could miss as few as six games, Francona emphasized the importance of ensuring he is fully healthy before returning to action. “We don’t want to rush him back too soon and risk a setback,” the manager added.
Hays, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Reds on January 30, has struggled with injuries over the past year. In 2023, he missed nearly a month due to a similar calf strain from April 21 to May 13. Later in the season, he was sidelined again with a left hamstring issue in August, followed by a kidney infection in September that kept him out for three weeks.
A former 2023 AL All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles, Hays was traded midseason and later appeared in the playoffs with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he struggled in limited postseason action, going hitless with three strikeouts in four at-bats during the NLDS against the New York Mets.
Despite his injury setbacks, Hays remains a valuable piece of the Reds’ roster. Last season, he played in 85 games between Baltimore and Philadelphia, posting a .255 batting average with five home runs and 20 RBIs. The Reds are hopeful that with proper rest and recovery, he can return to full strength and contribute to their outfield rotation in the coming weeks.
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