Reds place offseason addition on IL, activate fan favorite in bizarre turn of events

In a bizarre turn of events, Spencer Steer will be part of the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster. There is a cost, however, as the team's free agent acquisition, Austin Hays, will be placed on the 10-day IL with a calf injury.

This is quite the turnaround from a few days ago when it was relayed that Steer would begin the 2025 season on the IL. Steer suffered a shoulder injury in 2024 that lingered throughout the winter and caused him to miss all but three games during Cactus League play. Steer has been rehabbing recently, but will be limited to acting as the Reds designated hitter, and may be restricted to playing two out of every three days as he continues to work his way back from his spring training hiccup.

Hays was strangely absent from the Reds' tuneup at DayAir Ballpark on Tuesday, and it was mentioned during the radio broadcast that the outfielder was dealing with a calf issue. Reds manager Terry Francona called the injury "low grade", so the hope is that Hays will not miss too many games. The Reds can backdate Hays' placement on the IL up to three days, meaning that it's possible he only misses six games.

Reds place Austin Hays on IL, activate Spencer Steer in bizarre turn of events

Along with the news regarding Steer and Hays, Francona mentioned that both Jacob Hurtubise and Blake Dunn made Reds Opening Day roster, meaning that Stuart Fairchild has likely been cut. The final roster battle involved these three players, and with Hays now out of the lineup, Reds fans should expect to see more of Santiago Espinal and Gavin Lux in the outfield.

The Reds open their 2025 campaign on Thursday at 4:10 p.m. ET against the San Francisco Giants. Hunter Greene will be on the hill for Cincinnati, and by the sound of it, Steer will be in the Reds starting lineup as the team's DH. This is quite the twist with just over 24 hours until the season begins.

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