Reds Injury Update: Austin Hays setback, Noelvi Marte progressing, Rhett Lowder rehab

Injuries are, unfortunately, part of the game. But for the Cincinnati Reds, they've been a big part of the game. The Reds have been snake bitten this season, but no player has suffered more setbacks than outfielder Austin Hays.

Hays, who's on the injured list for the third time this season, was expected to be activated from the IL earlier this week. Hays fouled a ball off his foot during the Reds' series against the Kansas City Royals and was initially diagnosed with a contusion.

Hays was running the bases prior to games, and reports from FanDuel Sports Network's Annie Sabo suggested that the outfielder would be back for the Reds' series finale against the Cleveland Guardians. But he was not in the lineup, and according to Reds manager Terry Francona, Hays still isn't 100% and will be undergoing an MRI this week to see if there's more to it than just a contusion.

Reds Injury Update: Austin Hays concerns undergoes MRI, while Noelvi Marte and Rhett Lowder near rehab assignments

Hays' injury is quite concerning. He's been one of the most reliable hitters in Francona's lineup this season, and without his right-handed bat in the lineup, Cincinnati has struggled to find a consistent force against left-handed pitching. On Wednesday, Francona trotted out the duo of Connor Joe and Garrett Hampson as the Reds' corner outfielders. The pair went 0-for-7 with two strikeouts.

Hopefully the MRI reveals no significant damage, and Hays will be back on the active roster sooner rather than later. If not, the Reds may have to make a trade, or at the very least, call up Rece Hinds from Triple-A Louisville in order to add some more pop from the right-side of the plate.

On the plus side, both Noelvi Marte and Rhett Lowder will likely begin rehab assignments in the coming days. Sabo mentioned June 20 as a possible return date for Marte, but he must receive a clean MRI first. Lowder is expected to start his rehab process at the team's training facility in Arizona.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been receiving some starts at third base, but he'll likely take on a new role once Marte is back from the IL. Lowder was shut down midway through his rehab assignment from an elbow injury, and this time he'll be looking to return from an oblique strain. Given the nature of his injury, it's likely Lowder won't be ready to return until sometime after the All-Star break, but the Reds could certainly use more pitching depth in the minor leagues.

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