Hays went 1-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's 11-7 loss to Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

Hays gave the Reds a lead early, when the cleanup hitter belted a two-run home run in the first inning. He didn't need much time to get his timing down after spending the first two-and-a-half weeks on the injured list. Hays has hit safely in all three games played since being activated, going 4-for-13 with two homers and six RBI.

Hays went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Tuesday's win against Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

Hays was activated from the injured list after recovering from a calf injury and made an immediate impact in his Reds debut. He knocked an RBI single in the third inning before ripping a three-run shot in the fifth. Hays posted a .699 OPS in 255 regular-season plate appearances with the Phillies and Orioles during the 2024 campaign. As things stand, he appears to have a good share of playing time in left field for the Reds.

The Reds activated Hays (calf) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Hays is ready to make his season/Reds debut after missing nearly the first three weeks of the season with a strained calf. The 29-year-old is expected to see the bulk of the starts in left field for Cincinnati.

Manager Terry Francona said Sunday that he's hopeful that Hays (calf) will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list Tuesday for the Reds' series opener versus the Mariners, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before a decision is made regarding whether Hays will be activated for the three-game series with Seattle, the Reds plan to evaluate him Monday after he played for Triple-A Louisville on three consecutive days over the weekend. He went 2-for-9 with a home run, two RBI, two runs and one stolen base across those contests, and perhaps most importantly, Hays logged nine innings in right field Sunday. Once activated, Hays should handle a near-everyday role at either corner-outfield spot, and his arrival could provide a needed boost for a Reds offense that has thus far produced a team wOBA of .268, the third-worst mark in the majors.

Hays (calf) started in left field and went 0-for-2 with an RBI in a rehab game for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Hays began a rehab assignment and played seven innings in the field. He had been scheduled to begin the assignment Thursday, but the game was rained out. Hays will appear in three of the four games in this series against Indianapolis. After playing the field Friday, he'll serve as the DH in one half of Saturday's doubleheader, but then back to the field Sunday. Presumably, that activity will be enough for Hays to be activated and play Tuesday at home against Seattle.

Hays (calf) has reported to Triple-A Louisville and will begin a rehab assignment Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Hays likely won't need much time to get back up to full speed after suffering a low-grade left calf strain at the tail end of spring training, but he could end up sticking around in Louisville through the weekend to pick up some at-bats before being activated from the 10-day injured list. With Gavin Lux having recently taken over as the Reds' primary second baseman in the wake of Matt McLain (hamstring) landing on the IL, Hays could have a near-everyday role in left field waiting for him once he's cleared to rejoin Cincinnati.

Hays (calf) is showing improvement but is not expected to return to the lineup until the Reds return home from a road trip April 11, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "It's not necessarily fair to him to put a timetable, but I think the goal is when we come back from San Francisco," manager Terry Francona said Sunday morning.

EDGE Analysis

Hays sustained a calf injury late in spring training and is eligible to come off the IL on April 3, when Cincinnati begins a seven-game trip to Milwaukee and San Francisco. The Reds will have to play without their left fielder and projected cleanup hitter longer than originally expected. Gavin Lux has filled in for Hays in left field the first three games of the season.

The Reds placed Hays on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a low-grade left calf strain, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Terry Francona isn't expecting a lengthy stay on the shelf for Hays, who could be activated April 3 when first eligible. Gavin Lux could make starts in left field against right-handed pitching while Hays is out, with Blake Dunn also in the mix for at-bats.

Hays was not in the lineup for Tuesday's exhibition game against Reds minor leaguers and the radio broadcast indicated that Hays is dealing with a calf injury, Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hays played in the Cactus League finale Sunday, but his status for Opening Day is now in question. The broadcast suggested the club will know more Wednesday. If healthy enough to play, Hays will likely serve as the Reds' cleanup hitter Thursday against the Giants.

Hays is projected to serve as the Reds' Opening Day left fielder and cleanup hitter against the Giants on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hays had a great spring after signing a one-year deal with the Reds in January, slashing .310/.370/.690 with three homers and a steal across 46 plate appearances. The Reds made it clear when they signed him that Hays would be given the chance to play every day, and he's now positioned himself for a key run-producing spot in Cincinnati behind TJ Friedl, Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz -- at least against right-handed pitching. Hays could move up even higher in the order against lefties.