JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Sat 1/31/26 10:17 AM

Bleday still has a minor-league option remaining, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bleday was signed as a free agent this offseason, and the option gives the organization flexibility when finalizing its Opening Day roster. In publishing a first attempt at a roster projection, Rosecrans included the lefty-hitting outfielder on the active roster but did not pencil him into the projected starting lineup. Bleday, who can play all three outfield spots, is best suited and most likely to see time in left field. Will Benson, another lefty batter that has an option remaining, is slotted in left field against right-handers while Spencer Steer gets the nod against lefties. The Reds are hoping Bleday returns to his 2024 form, which saw him belt 20 home runs with a .761 OPS over 159 games for the Athletics.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Sat 12/27/25 10:38 AM

Bleday signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Reds on Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bleday was let go by the Athletics earlier this offseason after slashing .212/.294/.404 with 14 homers, 39 RBI and 48 RBI across 344 MLB plate appearances in 2025. The 28-year-old slugger will provide the Reds with another left-handed bat in the outfield alongside Will Benson and TJ Friedl, but there's no guarantee that Bleday will get to start regularly against right-handed pitchers.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Fri 11/21/25 5:26 PM

The Athletics non-tendered Bleday on Friday.
EDGE Analysis
Bleday lost his spot on the 40-man roster Tuesday, and he'll now depart the organization as a whole after not receiving a contract offer for the 2026 season. The 28-year-old outfielder slashed .212/.294/.404 with 14 homers, 39 RBI and 48 runs scored in 98 games with the A's in 2025 and should be able to at least land a minor-league deal this winter.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Tue 11/18/25 9:25 PM

The Athletics designated Bleday for assignment Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Bleday took a step back in 2025, finishing the season with a .698 OPS to go with 14 homers, 39 RBI, and 48 runs scored across 307 plate appearances in the majors. As a result, he'll lose his place on the Athletics' 40-man roster, helping to make room for the addition of three prospects ahead of December's Rule 5 Draft. The 28-year-old outfielder posted a .980 OPS over 132 plate appearances in the minors, however, which could be intriguing enough for another club to bring him in via waiver claim.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Wed 9/17/25 3:46 PM

Bleday is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.
EDGE Analysis
Bleday had started in both of the Athletics' previous two matchups against right-handed pitchers back on Friday and Saturday, but he'll take a seat versus Red Sox righty Lucas Giolito on Wednesday. With Tyler Soderstrom (groin) returning to his usual spot in left field following a brief absence, the Athletics will go with fellow left-handed hitter Carlos Cortes over Bleday in right field Wednesday. Cortes has produced five extra-base hits in 12 at-bats over his last six games and could end up playing ahead of Bleday more frequently if he's able to continue his hot hitting.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Sun 9/14/25 3:09 PM

Bleday is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
EDGE Analysis
The left-handed-hitting Bleday had started in each of the last three games, but he'll hit the bench Sunday while the Reds send southpaw Nick Lodolo to the bump. Bleday will cede his spot in the lineup to Colby Thomas, who will cover center field and bat fifth.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Wed 9/10/25 2:23 PM

Bleday will start in left field and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.
EDGE Analysis
The Athletics are facing a left-handed starter (Payton Tolle) for the fifth consecutive game, and though the left-handed-hitting Bleday was held out of the lineup in each of the previous four contests, he'll draw into the starting nine Wednesday while Tyler Soderstrom gets a day off. Bleday looks as though he'll continue to be deployed mostly in the strong side of a platoon in right field with Colby Thomas until Denzel Clarke (hip) potentially returns from the injured list in late September.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Sun 9/7/25 3:20 PM

Bleday is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.
EDGE Analysis
The left-handed-hitting Bleday had started in right field in each of the Athletics' previous three contests against right-handed pitchers, but he'll hit the bench while southpaw Mitch Farris toes the rubber for the Angels. The absence of Bleday clears a spot in the lineup for Colby Thomas, who will cover right field and bat third.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Sun 9/7/25 1:49 AM

Bleday went 2-for-2 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 17-4 win over the Angels.
EDGE Analysis
Bleday was one of two Athletics to deliver a homer off the bench Saturday, as he went yard in the ninth inning following Carlos Cortes' blast in the eighth. Bleday has hit the ground running in September, going 7-for-14 with four homers and nine RBI over his four games this month. He's seeing a majority of the playing time in right field versus right-handed pitchers but is unlikely to attain anything more than a platoon role. For the season, Bleday has a .221/.308/.428 slash line with 14 homers, 38 RBI, 47 runs scored, 15 doubles and a stolen base over 312 plate appearances.

JJ Bleday
OF CIN
Sat 9/6/25 1:32 AM

Bleday went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 10-4 win over the Angels.
EDGE Analysis
Bleday went yard as part of a seven-run third inning for the Athletics. His blast knocked Angels starter Jose Soriano out of the game. Bleday has already homered three times in September after hitting just two long balls across 19 contests in August. The outfielder is up to 13 homers, 35 RBI, 46 runs scored and a stolen base while slashing .215/.303/.412 across 84 games this season.