The Reds are expected to designate Fairchild for assignment Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even though Austin Hays (calf) is set to open the season on the injured list, the Reds won't keep Fairchild on hand as outfield depth. Instead, Cincinnati will keep Jacob Hurtubise and Blake Dunn on the Opening Day roster as reserve options in the outfield behind projected starters TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley, while utility players Gavin Lux and Santiago Espinal could also see time in left field during Hays' upcoming absence. Fairchild struggled to a .215/.286/.368 slash line in 233 plate appearances with Cincinnati in 2024 and didn't fare any better this spring with a .417 OPS and 28.9 percent strikeout rate over 45 plate appearances in the Cactus League.

Fairchild (thumb) has gone 0-for-5 with a strikeout through his first two Cactus League games.

EDGE Analysis

He'll be in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels, with all three of his starts having come in center field. Though he missed the final month of the 2024 season while recovering from a right thumb sprain that required surgery, Fairchild appears to have had a normal offseason and will be looking to compete for a short-side platoon role in the Cincinnati outfield throughout the spring. He has no minor-league options remaining, which may work in his favor in his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The Reds transferred Fairchild (thumb) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Fairchild just landed on the 10-day IL on Tuesday with a sprained left thumb, an injury which had been bothering him for a while, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. He is expected to undergo surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. Fairchild finished with a .215/.286/.368 batting line, eight home runs and 13 stolen bases over 94 contests for the Reds.

The Reds placed Fairchild on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 26, with a left thumb sprain.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear when Fairchild sustained the injury, but the sprained thumb will force him to the injured list. Rece Hinds was recalled from Triple-A Louisville to provide some depth in the outfield while TJ Friedl continues to start most games in center field.

Fairchild entered Friday's game after Jake Fraley (ankle) was removed and went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in an 8-3 loss to Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Fairchild swatted his eighth homer of the season as part of the Reds' three-run seventh inning. It came off a right-hander; Fairchild is batting .152 with a .522 OPS against righties this season. It's unclear why Cincinnati manager David Bell went with Fairchild instead of the lefty-hitting Will Benson, who has slightly better results against right-handers. Bell told MLB.com following the game that Fraley is "fine" and could return to action Saturday.

Fairchild started in right field and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Fairchild's fourth-inning homer finished off the Reds' scoring for the day. It was his seventh home run and second in the last seven games. Fairchild, who typically starts against left-handers, is batting .222/.293/.360 over 209 plate appearances (79 games).

Fairchild entered Friday's game as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI in a 3-2 extra-inning win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Fairchild entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and was still in the game to deliver the game-winning run on a double in the top of the 10th. The winning knock came off a right-hander, against whom Fairchild is batting just .151 this season. His opportunities will take a hit with the return of TJ Friedl from the injured list, but Fairchild should be in the lineup anytime the Reds face a left-handed starter.

Fairchild is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Fairchild had started in center field in both of Cincinnati's last two games, but he'll give way to Will Benson for the first game of the twin bill. Atlanta is bringing southpaw Chris Sale to the hill for the nightcap, so expect the right-handed-hitting Stuart Fairchild to pick up a start in the outfield while either or both of Benson and Jake Fraley -- both left-handed hitters -- head to the bench.

Fairchild started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a double, a hit-by-pitch, a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's 4-1 win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Fairchild, who normally is in the lineup against lefties, made a second consecutive start against a right-hander. The steal was his 13th on the season, and his sixth in the last 14 contests. The Reds' outfield has changed over recent days, as Fairchild, Rece Hinds and Austin Slater vie for playing time. That uncertainty is expected to change soon, as TJ Friedl (hamstring) is currently on a rehab assignment and could return for this weekend's series against the Rays.

Fairchild went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Sunday's 5-2 loss to Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Since being activated from the injured list July 19, Fairchild has started in two of the Reds' three games and has logged a pair of hits with a homer and a stolen base. The long ball came Sunday in the fifth inning off Jake Irvin and tied the game up at 2-2. On the year, Fairchild has a .227/.299/.364 slash line across 195 plate appearances.