Reds flurry of roster moves finally closes the book on frustrating slugger

Ahead of Sunday's series finale against the Cleveland Guardians, the Cincinnati Reds made several roster moves, the most notable of which was designating outfielder Rece Hinds for assignment. The former second-round pick always showed enormous potential, but the excessive number of strikeouts finally led the Reds to cut ties with the prodigious slugger.

Hinds was DFA'd to make room for catcher P.J. Higgins. Cincinnati DFA'd Higgins just last week in order to add Chris Paddack to the active roster. The veteran backstop passed through outright waivers and was sent back to Triple-A, but Jose Trevino suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's game against the Guardians, which necessitated the addition of another catcher.

The severity of Trevino's injury has yet to be revealed, but this is the second time this season that the Reds' veteran backstop has been saddled with an injury. Higgins was recalled earlier this season while Trevino was battling a back injury.

The Reds also showed their lack of trust in right-handed reliever Luis Mey whose sixth-inning meltdown on Saturday cost Cincinnati the lead during Saturday's game against Cleveland. Mey walked two batters and continues to struggle with command issues. He has a 17.5% walk rate in six games this season. Cincinnati optioned the fireballer back to Triple-A and recalled Jose Franco from Louisville.

Reds finally give up on slugger Rece Hinds

Hinds put up huge numbers during spring training earlier this year and almost earned his way onto the Reds' Opening Day roster. After his dominant start to the year in Triple-A, the Reds gave Hinds one more chance to prove that he could make it in The Show, but he failed miserably and was quickly optioned back to the minor leagues.

Hinds will likely be claimed off waivers or traded to another team in the coming days. Cincinnati has a seven-day window to decide the slugger's fate, but Hinds essentially punched his ticket out of town earlier this season when he failed to grab ahold of that brass ring.

Hinds' power was never in question. Many fans will remember his Major League debut back in 2024 when he crushed five home runs during his first seven big-league games. He went 11-for-28 with nine extra-base hits and 11 RBI from July 8 though July 14 that year.

Since that time, however, he's gone just 10-for-96 (.104) with a 46.6% strikeout rate. Those numbers are untenable, and it's why the Reds finally cut ties with Hinds.

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