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Reds used Eugenio Suárez return to make move fans secretly wanted anyway

Geno's back!
Drew Koch
Drew Koch

Blog Red Machine

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (28) reacts / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

While it's never appropriate to take pleasure in the misfortune of others, Cincinnati Reds fans have to be downright giddy to see the corresponding roster move that was made in order to activate Eugenio Suárez from the injured list. In addition to Geno's return, the Reds placed Ke'Bryan Hayes on the 10-day IL with a lumbar bulging disc.

Reds fans have been begging the front office to do something about Hayes for weeks, and while injuries are never fun, this could be a best-case scenario for all parties involved. Hayes was hitting a paltry .142/.195/.225 in 44 games this season.

Hayes a long history of back problems, so while some Reds fans may refer to this as a phantom IL stint, it's not as if he hasn't dealt with this type of injury in the past. Though he played in 152 games last season, Hayes was limited to just 96 games in 2024 because of a chronic back issue.

Reds welcome back Eugenio Suárez & place Ke'Bryan Hayes on IL

Not only will this help clear the Reds' roster logjam, but Suárez has plenty of experience playing third base in the big leagues, so the loss of Hayes won't be a problem positionally. Sal Stewart has also seen time at the hot corner this season.

Hayes arrived to Cincinnati at last year's trade deadline, and while the deal gave the Reds a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman, his bat has always lagged behind. Hayes put up some fine numbers last August, but since September 2025 and into the first two months of this season, he's hitting just .166/.234/.225 with a 26 wRC+.

No Major League team that's contending for a playoff spot can afford to have that type of production anywhere in the lineup. But Hayes was no longer eligible to be optioned to the minor leagues without his consent, which left the Reds sort of stuck.

Reds fans may remember something similar occured with Jeimer Candelario last season, and Cincinnati eventually released their once-prized free agent signing after he returned from the IL. Hayes has just 96 games in the Reds uniform, so the club is unlikely to cut ties that quickly.

But when Hayes finally returns from the IL — something that will no doubt warrant an extended rehab assignment in the minor leagues — fans will be demanding to see a better version of the two-time Gold Glove Award-winner.

Drew Koch

Drew Koch

Drew Koch has been an MLB Staff Writer since January 2024 and part of the FanSided Network since June 2018. Drew's contributions have been published on Blog Red Machine, Friars on Base, BoSox Injection, Lombardi Avenue, Wildcat Blue Nation, Motor City Bengals, and many other sites within the FanSided Network. When he's not cheering wildly for the Cincinnati Reds or the Kentucky Wildcats, Drew enjoys fishing, golfing, playing cribbage and other card games, listening to country and classical music, and spending time with his family and friends.