Reds playoff chase hinges on bold roster moves they can’t ignore any longer

The Cincinnati Reds are off on Thursday, but the front office needs to make a couple of bold roster moves before they open their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. It starts will calling up Sal Stewart for his big-league debut.

The Reds top prospect has done everything possible to earn a call-up, and lately, has seen playing at several different positions. With newly-acquired infielder Ke'Bryan Hayes settled in at third base, Stewart has been logging time at both first and second base recently.

But it's Stewart's bat that's earned him the right to be part of the Major League roster. The Reds promoted him to Triple-A Louisville last month after a torrid stretch with Double-A Chattanooga to begin the year. Since joining the Louisville Bats roster, Stewart is hitting .315/.395/.630 with seven home runs ,24 RBI, and a 164 wRC+. There's little left for Stewart to prove in the minors.

Reds playoff chase hinges on bold roster moves they can’t ignore any longer

In order to clear space on the roster, the Reds would have to make a couple of roster moves. Though some Reds fans might suggest to kill two birds with one stone and designate Santiago Espinal for assignment, that would be unwise. Espinal is one of the Reds best defenders and excels in a utility role.

Instead, the Reds should DFA a player like Sam Benschoter or Joe La Sorsa in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. But with neither player on the active roster, at least one more move and necessary, and every single Reds fan knows what it is.

The Reds must option Matt McLain back to Triple-A Louisville. McLain's been a shadow of the player he was during his rookie season in 2023, and whether or not his shoulder injury has anything to do with his production is irrelevant at this point. The Reds need more from that spot in the lineup.

Here's where the kicker comes in. If the Reds do all that before the series against the D-backs — call up Stewart, option McLain, DFA Benschoter or La Sorsa — it allows Stewart to be part of the Reds' postseason roster if they make the playoffs. It would also enable McLain to be recalled back to the big leagues when rosters expand in September.

If the Reds foolishly wait until September 1 to promote Stewart, he can't be part of the Reds' playoff roster. At this point in the season, there's virtually no risk to Stewart's rookie status for 2026. McLain, on the other hand, could remain in Triple-A for the 10-day minimum, and if he gets his swing right, can then return for Cincinnati's stretch run.

These are moves the Reds unequivocally have to make before the upcoming series against the D-backs. The pitching staff has been far too good only to watch the Reds lineup barely scratch across one run at various points throughout the season. Cincinnati needs another reliable bat, and at the moment, that's not McLain. Why not give Stewart a shot? The Reds have nothing to lose, except for a spot in the postseason.

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