Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Tue 1/28/25 12:16 PM

The Reds signed Hays to a one-year, $5 million contract Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
He'll have an opportunity to earn an additional $1 million in incentives. Hays was limited to just 85 games between the Orioles and Phillies in 2024 due to a calf strain and a kidney infection, and he slashed a disappointing .255/.303/.396 when on the field. However, he had a career .751 OPS prior to last season, including a .779 OPS versus left-handers, so some level of rebound for the 29-year-old in 2025 is doable. Great American Ball Park is an ideal landing spot, although it's not clear whether the Reds intend to give Hays regular starts against righties in addition to lefties.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Fri 11/22/24 1:41 PM

The Phillies non-tendered Hays on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hays had been projected to make more than $6 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, and the Phillies have opted to send him to free agency rather than give him a raise. The 29-year-old slashed only .255/.303/.396 over 85 games in 2024 while splitting time between the Orioles and Phillies. He had a solid .262/.314/.437 career line prior to this past season and can handle all three outfield spots, so Hays shouldn't have trouble finding a gig elsewhere.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Wed 10/9/24 1:39 PM

Hays is absent from the lineup Wednesday in Game 4 of the NLDS versus the Mets, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
It's lefty Jose Quintana on the bump for the Mets, but it will be Weston Wilson and not Hays getting the call in left field for the Phillies. Hays started Game 3 and went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Sat 10/5/24 7:35 PM

Hays (back) did not appear in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Mets on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Hays missed the final two games of the regular season with a back issue, and despite having a week off he still did not take the field in Philadelphia's first postseason game. If his absence was health related, the Phillies' decision to include him on the roster suggests he should be back in the short term.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Sun 9/29/24 1:51 PM

Hays (back) is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
EDGE Analysis
Hays will sit for the regular-season finale as he continues to battle back soreness, but he could be available off the bench for Sunday's contest. Kody Clemens will start in left field and bat seventh.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Sat 9/28/24 2:11 PM

Hays isn't in Philadelphia's lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals due to back soreness, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Phillies' training staff is still in the process of evaluating Hays, but his back will cause him to miss at least Saturday's game. While Hays rests, Weston Wilson will step in as the left fielder and bat eighth.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Tue 9/24/24 3:18 PM

The Phillies activated Hays (kidney) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hays missed the last three weeks of action with battling a kidney infection. He should operate as the Phillies' primary left fielder, with Brandon Marsh shifting over to center field most days.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Mon 9/23/24 4:45 PM

The Phillies plan to activate Hays (kidney) from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game versus the Cubs, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hays will be given a rest day Monday after playing rehab games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday and Sunday before rejoining the Phillies' active roster Tuesday. He's missed most of this month while battling a kidney infection.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Sun 9/22/24 7:15 PM

Hays (abdomen) could be activated off the 10-day injured list Tuesday following his rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley over the weekend, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Hays has been on the IL since Sept. 5 due to a kidney infection. The 29-year-old outfielder made two rehab outings for Lehigh Valley, going 2-for-10 with one walk and one run scored. Barring any setbacks, Hays could be activated ahead of Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

Austin Hays
LF/DH CIN
Sat 9/21/24 2:55 PM

Hays (abdomen) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Hays has been on the shelf since Sept. 5 due to a kidney infection, and he's been cleared to appear in games. It's unknown how long of a rehab stint he'll require, but it's an encouraging sign nonetheless. Hays is slashing .254/.275/.373 in 19 games with the Phillies this season.