Reds Activate Eugenio Suarez, Place Ke'Bryan Hayes On 10-Day IL

Ke'Bryan Hayes was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 21 due to a lumbar bulging disc, with back spasms affecting his play. Eugenio Suárez was activated from the 10-day IL after missing about a month with an oblique strain. Hayes has had recurring back problems, and the team decided to allow full recovery. The rehab plan includes work on offensive mechanics at the Reds’ Spring Training facility in Arizona. Hayes has struggled offensively, hitting .142/.195/.225 over 128 plate appearances, despite strong defensive value at third base. Sal Stewart has already begun starting at third, and he is expected to see most playing time there, while Suárez may also appear in the DH role. Cincinnati’s offense should improve with Suárez’s return, even though his 2026 production has not yet started.

"The Reds placed third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes on the 10-day injured list yesterday, while also activating third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the 10-day IL. Suarez returns after missing a month due to an oblique strain, while Hayes (whose placement is retroactive to May 21) is dealing with a lumbar bulging disc."

"Back problems have been a recurring issue for Hayes over the years, and Cincinnati manager Terry Francona told The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans and other reporters that Hayes has been bothered by a bad back at various points this season. "I think the spasming has gotten to the point where it's kind of getting in the way," Francona said, so the decision was made to let Hayes fully recover during an IL stint."

"Beyond just getting healthy, Francona suggested that Hayes' rehab process will include a stint working on his offensive mechanics at the Reds' Spring Training facility in Arizona. The Reds were hoping that Hayes might find some untapped hitting potential after he was acquired from the Pirates at last year's trade deadline, but whatever changes Hayes has made with his new team haven't worked."

"While Hayes remains one of baseball's top defensive third basemen, excellent glovework only goes so far when a player has a 12 wRC+ - the lowest of any player in baseball with at least 120 PA. Sal Stewart had already started to receive some starts at third base even before Hayes went on the IL, and Stewart will likely get the majority of time at the hot corner while Suarez may make the odd start but is more likely to again factor heavily in the DH mix."

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