Reds announce official Ke'Bryan Hayes roster move, new-look lineup

On Wednesday, the Cincinnati Reds made their biggest trade deadline acquisition since 2019 with the addition of third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. On Thursday, the Reds made the deal official by sending Rece Hinds back to Triple-A Louisville and activating Hayes ahead of Cincinnati's clash with the Atlanta Braves.

Hayes will be in the Reds starting lineup and playing third base, but he'll be all the way down at No. 9 in the batting order. That shouldn't come as a shock given Hayes' slash line this season. The infielder is hitting just .236/.279/.290 and is known more for his glove than his bat.

With TJ Friedl still on the paternity list, Reds manager Terry Francona is giving Gavin Lux the day off and rolling with second baseman Matt McLain in the leadoff spot against Atlanta on Thursday night at Great American Ball Park.

Reds announce official Ke'Bryan Hayes roster move, new-look lineup

Behind McLain will be the newly-minted right fielder Noelvi Marte. With Hayes on the ball club, the Reds are going to give Marte every attempt to stick in right field. Elly De La Cruz is in his usual spot, batting third and playing shortstop. Austin Hays is getting another day off in the field and will be the Reds' DH on Thursday night at GABP.

Wednesday's hero Spencer Steer is batting fifth and playing first base. Steer has been tremendous defensively this season, but his two-RBI triple put the Reds up in the bottom of the eighth inning on Wednesday night against the Dodgers.

Jake Fraley is back in the starting lineup after a two-day absence, but with Marte in right field, the veteran has shifted over to left in place of Lux. Tyler Stephenson will hang the signs for Thursday's starter, Andrew Abbott, and be followed by Will Benson and the aforementioned Hayes.

When Friedl returns from the paternity list, that'll shake things up once again, and with the trade deadline just hours away, who knows if Nick Krall and front office will make any more additions between now and 6 p.m. ET.

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