Reds Injury Update: Austin Hays rehab, Noelvi Marte timeline, Jeimer Candelario

While the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation has been hit hard by injuries of late, the lineup is close to returning to full strength. Christian Encarnacion-Strand — though his playing time has been limited of late — returned from the IL earlier this month and will soon be joined from a few others who've been on the IL for past few weeks.

FanDuel Sports Network's Jim Day reported during Sunday's broadcast that Austin Hays ran the bases in St. Louis — his last test before going out on a rehab assignment. Because the forecast is rather bleak for the Louisville Bats' visit to St. Paul, Minnesota, it appears that Hays will begin his rehab at Double-A Chattanooga.

The Reds outfielder has been on the IL for the past few weeks after suffering a foot contusion. Hays fouled a ball off his foot during the Reds' series in Kansas City, and he's just now getting back to the point where he's pain-free while performing baseball activities.

Reds Injury Update: Austin Hays & Noelvi Marte timeline slated for rehab assignments

Hays could have company in southeastern Tennessee. Noelvi Marte is set to leave Arizona and begin a rehab assignment with one of the Reds' minor league affiliates this week as well. It's yet to be determined whether Marte will be sent to Double-A Chattanooga or Triple-A Louisville, but the third baseman will need a little more than just a tuneup in the minor leagues.

Marte has been out of the Reds' lineup since early-May after suffering an oblique injury. Marte was suspended for the first 80-games last season and struggled mightily after his return. This season, however, the former top prospect has reminded fans of the player they saw in 2023. Before landing on the IL, Marte was hitting .294/.342/.515 with a 131 wRC+. Cincinnati will be happy to get his bat back in the lineup.

Reds Injury Update: Jeimer Candelario to be activated prior to Yankees series

Jeimer Candelario has been returned from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. Typically when this occurs, and the player isn't activated from the injured list, it's a bad sign. In this instance, however, that's not the case.

According to reports, the Reds plan to activate Candelario ahead of the upcoming series against the New York Yankees that begins on Monday at Great American Ball Park. The corresponding move is unknown, but there are only a few ways the Reds can go. It'll be curious to see how Reds manager Terry Francona plans to deploy Candelario when he returns, as he was not hitting well before landing on the IL at the end of April.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors