The Reds recently made some lineup changes. They placed third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes on the 10-day injured list and activated Eugenio Suarez from the same list. Hayes is dealing with a lumbar bulging disc, an injury that has been an issue for him before. His placement on the IL is retroactive to May 21.
Cincinnati manager Terry Francona shared that Hayes’s back issues have affected his performance this season. “The spasming has gotten to the point where it’s kind of getting in the way,” he explained. The team hopes this time off will allow Hayes to heal fully.
In addition to recovery, Hayes will work on his hitting mechanics at the Reds’ Spring Training facility in Arizona. Since joining from the Pirates last year, expectations were high for Hayes, but he has struggled at the plate, hitting just .142/.195/.225 over 128 plate appearances this season.
Despite his struggles with hitting, Hayes remains one of the best defensive third basemen. However, his low offensive numbers—like a 12 wRC+, the worst among players with over 120 plate appearances—highlight the challenges he faces.
With Hayes out, Sal Stewart will take over at third base. Stewart already had some starts before Hayes’s injury, and he is expected to get most of the playing time now. Suarez will likely see time at designated hitter, enhancing the team’s offense.
Suarez’s return adds some much-needed depth to the lineup, though he hasn’t been at his best either this season. After signing a one-year, $15 million deal, he has logged three home runs and a .231/.300/.363 line in 100 plate appearances before his injury.
According to a 2023 survey by Baseball Reference, injuries have plagued many teams in the league this season, impacting performance and playoff chances. Staying healthy and making necessary adjustments can be crucial in such a competitive environment.
Fans are hopeful that both Hayes and Suarez can find their rhythm soon, as the Reds’ performance hinges on a strong showing from their key players. Social media has been buzzing with opinions on how these changes might influence the team’s playoff aspirations this year.
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