Reds News: Héctor Rodríguez stays hot, Ke'Bryan Hayes timeline, Graham Ashcraft update

The Cincinnati Reds' 2026 campaign is quickly heading for disaster, and the fanbase is just waiting for the upcoming fire sale that's sure to begin before the August 3 trade deadline passes. After dropping Tuesday's series opener to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Reds are now 41-49 and eight games back of the final NL Wild Card spot.

But the impending sell off at the trade deadline will undoubtedly open up opportunities for some of Cincinnati's young guns. One such player is outfield prospect Héctor Rodríguez who crushed two home runs during the Louisville Bats 5-4 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Tuesday night.

Reds News: Héctor Rodríguez has little left to prove after two-homer performance

Rodríguez's first round-tripper of the game came during the first inning when he launched a 381-foot blast into the right-center field bleachers. The ball came off the bat at 100.9 mph and was his 20th home run of the 2026 season.

But Rodríguez wasn't done. During the third inning, the Reds' top prospect delivered his second homer of the game. This one travelled a similar distance (392 feet) and had an almost identical exit velocity (100.8 mph).

A lot of Reds fans are wondering why Rodríguez continues to receive reps in the minor leagues. Once the trade deadline passes early next month, Cincinnati's roster will likely look much different, and the front office will have little reason to keep the 22-year-old at Triple-A after August 3.

Reds News: Ke'Bryan Hayes' rehab moves to Triple-A

Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, who began a rehab assignment last week at High-A Dayton, joined the Reds' Triple-A affiliate on Tuesday and went 1-for-4 with a double that he scaled into left field during the first inning.

Hayes has been sidelined since May 22 with a bulging disc in his back. The veteran was off to a horrendous start (.142/.195/.225) but is said to have made some swing adjustments during his time at the team's training complex in Arizona. According to Reds manager Terry Francona, there's no definitive timeline for Hayes' return.

Reds News: Graham Ashcraft making progress after suffering sprained UCL

The Reds placed reliever Graham Ashcraft on the 60-day IL on May 29, meaning the earliest he can return to the active roster would be the end of July. The most likely scenario, however, will be a return sometime during the month of August.

During Tuesday's broadcast, Reds.TV reporter Jim Day revealed that Ashcraft has begun a throwing program and is already playing catch up to 90 feet. The right-hander is slated to take his rehab out to the desert later this week, and will continue his throwing progression at the team's facility in Goodyear.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow