Austin Hays' return to Reds helps Terry Francona swiftly undo desperate lineup ploy

The Cincinnati Reds are close to full-strength this week. Both Matt McLain and Austin Hays returned to the Reds lineup, and not a moment too soon. Cincinnati's starting rotation has been carrying the load through the first two-plus weeks of the 2025 season, but having McLain and Hays in the lineup could help to generate some offensive firepower.

Hays, specifically, could also aid one of his teammates, and allow Terry Francona to balance out his lineup card. Gavin Lux has seen a lot of playing time in left field this season — oftentimes out of necessity — and with Hays back in the lineup, Francona will now has the ability to keep the former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder on the bench against left-handed pitching.

Lux has started all but one game this season for the Reds, with 11 of his 15 starts coming in left field. Lux has faced a left-handed pitcher in 10 of those games, accounting for 16 of his 59 plate appearances (27%) so far. He's just 2-for-14 with a pair of singles off southpaws this season and a .393 OPS. Against right-handed pitching, Lux is hitting a much more robust .243/.349/.351, and all four of his extra-base hits have come off righties.

Austin Hays' return will help Terry Francona get Gavin Lux out of Reds lineup against left-handed pitching

This isn't some big secret — Lux has historically had awful splits against left-handed hurlers. The 27-year-old has a career .544 OPS against lefties versus a .744 OPS against right-handers. In short, Lux should not be in the lineup when a left-hander is on the bump.

But Francona has had little choice this season. Not only has the Reds skipper been without Hays since Opening Day, but Spencer Steer's shoulder injury has limited him to DH duty only. The Reds most versatile fielder can't play the field at the moment, and Lux is Francona's best option in left regardless of who's on the mound.

But with Hays back, Francona can turn to a lineup of almost exclusively right-handed hitters, with TJ Friedl being the lone exception. With Jacob Hurtubise optioned back to the minor leagues, that's one less lefty in the lineup. With McLain and Hays are activated from the IL, Cincinnati should be able to field a much better lineup against lefties now that two of their best right-handed hitters are back on the active roster.

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