Domino effect of Austin Hays' return will shakeup Reds infield more than the outfield

After 16 games this spring saw Austin Hays hit .310/.370/.690 with three home runs and 14 RBI during Cactus League play, the Cincinnati Reds' outfielder suffered a low-grade calf strain which landed him on the injured list just before Opening Day. But Hays began a rehab assignment this past week and should return to the Reds this week.

Gavin Lux has been Hays' primary replacement in left field. A career infielder, Lux lacks the range, speed, and finesse to play the position with any measure of consistency — though he did make a nifty play in left field on Friday night versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With Hays' return, Lux will go back to the infield, and with Matt McLain currently on the IL, likely slide into second base for the time being. But when McLain returns, Lux becomes more of a wild card. The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't believe Lux's arm was strong enough for the left side of the infield, but the Reds gave him an audition at third base this spring.

Domino effect of Austin Hays' return will shakeup Reds infield more than the outfield

Jeimer Candelario, who's struggled this season, has been the Reds' primary third baseman — though Santiago Espinal has seen time at the hot corner too. Shifting Lux to third base and moving Candelario to DH is an option, but Spencer Steer's inability to play the field for the foreseeable future causes some problems. Reds manager Terry Francona will likely mix and match the team's DH once the club is at full strength.

Lux has produced phenomenal at-bats despite mediocre results. He's hitting just .213/.288/.277, but Francona has oddly been playing Lux against left-handed pitchers — something that he historically struggles with.

Candelario, on the other hand, has been better against lefties — smacking his first homer of the 2025 season off left-hander Bailey Falter on Friday night. Although Francona isn't an analytical savant, this split may cause a platoon at third until someone gets hot. Espinal will likely revert to his "fill-in" role upon Hays' return to the lineup, and his function will decrease even more once McLain is back from the IL.

The Reds seemingly love to force players into positions they're unfamiliar with in an effort to trade defense for hitting production. When Hays returns, the Reds infield will be crowded once again. But a breakout from Lux or Candelario could make Francona's choice clear, and he's likely to give chances to both over the next couple of weeks.

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