The Cincinnati Reds are sending outfielder Austin Hays to Triple-A Louisville to begin a rehab assignment. He is now the third big leaguer with the Bats on rehab, joining left-handed starting pitcher Andrew Abbott and right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz. Louisville is currently in a home series against Indianapolis. Tonight’s game begins at 6:35pm ET.
Hays, who signed with the Reds about two weeks before the start of spring training, had a strong spring training with the club. In 16 games he hit .310/.370/.690 with eight extra-base hits and 14 RBI. But the outfielder tweaked his calf muscle in the final game of spring training out in Arizona. He didn’t play in the exhibition game in Dayton two days later and the Reds placed him on the injured list before Opening Day.
After a 2024 season where Austin Hays struggled – likely in part due to the fact that he kidney infection that caused all kinds of issues – he is looking to rebound and get back to the above-average hitter he had been in the previous five seasons (109 OPS+ from 2019-2023). As noted, he hit well during the spring and hopefully he can carry that forward once he’s fully healthy and back with Cincinnati.
Jake Gilbert is back
The Cincinnati Reds signed right-handed pitcher Jake Gilbert out of the Air Force Academy in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. That first year he threw 35.2 innings with the Arizona Complex League Reds and the Greeneville Reds. In 2021 he split time back in Arizona and in High-A Dayton. Then in 2022 he returned to Dayton where he threw 53.0 innings for the Dragons.
Following the season he had to step aside from his baseball career and serve his time with the Air Force and he was placed on the military leave list. He missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons while serving. Then in January of this year he was released by the Reds.
Two days ago he re-signed with Cincinnati. He’s been assigned to the ACL Reds. It would make sense that he’ll likely spend some time there to get prepared to move up to another level. The 6′ 7″ reliever is now 28-years-old, so time certainly isn’t on his side. But he’s also got a bit fresher of an arm than most professional pitchers his age given his time away from the mound.