It only took 1 game for Austin Hays to show Reds fans he was worth the wait

Austin Hays' 2025 debut was delayed after being sidelined with a calf strain. But one of the Cincinnati Reds' biggest offseason acquisitions proved he was worth the wait after returning from the injured list on Tuesday night versus the Seattle Mariners.

Hays was activated from the IL before Tuesday's game and was in the Reds starting lineup as the team's designated hitter. Hays flied out during his first plate appearance, but made the most of his next two at-bats.

During the bottom of the third inning, with the Reds trailing 2-0, Hays laced a line drive into center field to score Matt McLain from third base. But Hays' big moment came in the bottom of the fifth inning with Cincinnati down by a score of 4-2.

It only took 1 game for Austin Hays to show Reds fans he was worth the wait with a three-run home run

Former Reds' All-Star Luis Castillo was on the mound for the Mariners, and walked the first two batters of the inning. McLain and Elly De La Cruz both reached base without swinging the bat, and left fielder Gavin Lux's RBI single brought McLain home, closing the gap to just one run. Hays then stepped into the batters' box with a chance to tie the game or put the Reds ahead. He chose the latter.

Hays took a 1-1 pitch from Castillo to straight away center field and over the wall for his first home run as a member of the Reds. Hays rounded first and let a celebratory roar. He was then greeted at home plate by De La Cruz and Lux with his three-run homer putting the Reds up 6-4.

Reds pitching has carried Cincinnati through the first two weeks of the 2025 season, but on a night when Nick Lodolo didn't have his best stuff, Hays and bats picked up their starting pitcher. The Cincinnati faithful are hopeful to see more of the same from Hays during the rest of the homestand and the remainder of the 2025 season.

Hays only signed a one-year deal this past offseason, but if he keeps making statements like he did on Tuesday night, Reds fans will want to see him back in 2026 as well.

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