The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. In corresponding moves, the Reds optioned outfielders Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise and recalled outfielder Will Benson from Triple-A Louisville. Hays is serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup in Friday's series opener against the Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown in his return. The 29-year-old spent the minimum 10 days on the IL with a minor hamstring strain. Fantasy managers are hoping he can pick up where he left off after going 19-for-52 (.365) with five homers, 13 RBI, 15 runs and a stolen base in his first 13 games. Hays is a mixed-league fantasy asset as an everyday player hitting in the middle of the Reds' batting order. He's hit .333 with a 1.166 OPS, a homer and three RBI in six career at-bats against Brown.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) is doing really well in his rehab from a strained left hamstring and could return from the injured list on Friday. As long as Hays doesn't suffer a setback in the next few days, he could skip a minor-league rehab assignment and rejoin the club for their series opener on Friday in Houston against the Astros. Injuries have been the story of the 29-year-old's season so far in 2025, but when he's been on the field, he's been fantasy worthy in all formats, slashing .365/.431/.712 with five long balls, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored and a stolen base in just 13 games played. When Hays is back, expect him to continue playing regularly for Cincy in left field. Until then, rookie Tyler Callihan and Blake Dunn should continue to split playing time for the Reds in left field.

The Cincinnati Reds have placed outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 29. The Reds activated backstop Tyler Stephenson (oblique) from the injured list in a corresponding move. Hays has already had a stint on the injured list due to a calf strain and will now face his second absence of the young campaign. Despite his early-season injuries, Hays has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, posting a stellar .365/.431/.712 slash line with three doubles and five home runs. He has tallied 13 RBI, scored 15 runs, and held a 13:6 K:BB. Under the hood, the 29-year-old has generated a .472 xwOBA, which suggests he should continue to enjoy similar production when he returns to the lineup. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Tyler Callihan and Blake Dunn to see more opportunities in the starting nine.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) remains sidelined for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Santiago Espinal is starting in left field and will hit fifth against Cardinal left-hander Matthew Liberatore. Hays injured his left hamstring while running the bases on Monday and will now miss his third straight game as a result. The Reds remain hopeful that the 29-year-old can avoid a trip to the injured list, but that stance could change if he's unable to return during a three-game weekend series against the visiting Washington Nationals. Fantasy managers want Hays back in the lineup as soon as possible, as he's gone 19-for-52 (.365) early on with five homers, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored for the Reds. Espinal is also hitting over .300 in 64 at-bats in 2025 but has yet to homer. He's hitless in just three career at-bats against Liberatore.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. It's the third straight game that Hays has been sidelined due to a minor hamstring strain that hopefully won't require a stint on the injured list. If Hays doesn't play in Thursday's series finale against St. Louis, his next chance to play will come in Friday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. If the 29-year-old cannot play by the end of the weekend, an IL stint would probably be likely at that point. Gavin Lux is starting in left field and batting seventh for Game 2 on Wednesday against Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz. As a left-handed hitter that has never faced Matz in his career, DFS gamers should be looking to avoid Lux, who went hitless in Game 1.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said the team is trying to buy outfielder Austin Hays' hamstring some time after his MRI exam showed some minor results. The Reds are "exploring" not having Hays go on the injured list and seeing how his symptoms are. Hays is out of the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, with prospect Tyler Callihan taking his place in left field and batting ninth against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas in his major-league debut. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 29-year-old Hays to be day-to-day for now, but he could land on the IL if he's unable to play by the end of the weekend series against the visiting Washington Nationals. It would be bad timing for Hays to land on the IL, as he's been one of the hottest hitters early on, slashing .365/.431/.712 with five homers and 13 RBI in his 52 at-bats for the Reds.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) is out of the starting lineup on Tuesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals due to a "tender" hamstring that is being looked at. Hays has been one of the hotter bats in baseball lately, so fantasy managers would hate to lose the 29-year-old for an extended period of time. For now, consider him to be day-to-day and check back on Wednesday to see if he's back in the starting lineup. With Hays sitting for Game 2 of the series against St. Louis, Santiago Espinal is starting in left field and batting eighth against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Espinal has hit .167 in just six career at-bats against Mikolas. Hays has played in only 13 games so far due to injury, but he's hitting a robust .365 (19-for-52) with five homers, three doubles and 13 RBI in his 58 trips to the plate. As long as he's healthy, he's a lineup regular for Cincy.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder/designated hitter Austin Hays is not in the lineup for Tuesday'smatchup against the Cardinals. The 29-year-old has been swinging a hot bat since his return from the injured list, hitting .365 with fivehome runs, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored, a stolen base, and a 6:13 BB:K over just 58 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter had collected at least two hits in three straight games before going hitless on Monday. The5-foot-11 slugger willget a chance to take a breather, but should be back in the lineup on Wednesday against Steven Matz, whom he is 4-for-14 off of duringhis career, including a double. Gavin Luz will DH and bat fourth on Tuesday, while Santiago Espinal will man left field and bat eighth.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays continued his torrid start to the season on Saturday, smashing two homers in a 6-4 win over the Colorado Rockies. Hays has been incredible in a small sample size for the Reds, as he is now hitting .386 with a 1.222 OPS, 12 runs, five homers, 11 RBI, and a steal in 44 at-bats. The 29-year-old appears to be a great fit in Cincy, and it looks like he will have ample playing time. Hays should be rostered in all standard-size leagues at this point, and makes for a great waiver wire pickup with seven home games next week.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays hit a two-run home run in Thursday's 11-7 loss to the Mariners. This was his second home run in just his third game of the season after being activated from the injured list on Tuesday. This is a great start in his new home after he disappointed in 2024 in a season split between the Orioles and Phillies. He was a solid player in 2023, slashing .275/.325/.444 with 16 home runs in a home park that was very tough against right-handed hitters. He could be in for a nice rebound year in Great American Ballpark and is worth an add in five-outfielder leagues if you need help at the position.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays turned in a big game in an 8-4 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. In his debut with the Reds, Hays went 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBI to help spark Cincinnati to the win over Seattle. Hays strained his left calf during Spring Training and had spent all of the early portion of the regular season on the injured list before getting activated ahead of Tuesday's game. He made a good first impression as he blasted a three-run homer off Seattle starter Luis M. Castillo in the fifth inning. Hays is worth monitoring in fantasy moving forward.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (calf) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Luis Castillo at Great American Ball Park. Outfielder Jacob Hurtubise was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Hays is recovered from a strained calf and will be making his season debut on Tuesday against the M's. The 29-year-old is expected to see regular playing time for the Reds in left field now that he's back, giving him fantasy appeal in deep-mixed leagues. An All-Star in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles, Hays battled injury last year with the Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies and finished with a .255/.303/.396 slash line, five home runs and 20 RBI in 85 total games played. Hays is hitless in two career at-bats against Castillo with one RBI.

According to Charles Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine, manager Terry Francona hopes Reds outfielder Austin Hays (calf) will be back on Tuesday and that they'll evaluate him after he plays on Monday. Hays has played three games in Triple-A Louisville thus far after tweaking his calf in spring training. In those three games, he's had 10 plate appearances and has gone 2-for-9 with one home run and two RBI. Last year, Hays spent time with the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies and slashed .255/.303/.396 with five home runs. It will be interesting to see where he fits into the Reds lineup because when he was healthy in 2022 and 2023, Hays hit 32 home runs in those two seasons combined. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider taking a flyer on him to see how it plays out.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Thursday. Hays has been sidelined through the first two weeks of the regular season due to a low-grade calf strain. Fantasy managers should monitor his status with Louisville as he could be cleared for action as soon as next week. Hays inked a one-year, $5 million contract with the Reds earlier in the winter. He enjoyed a productive spring training, and several reports projected him to open the season as the team's leadoff hitter. Last summer, the 29-year-old logged 85 games split between the Orioles and the Phillies and held a cumulative .255/.303/.396 slash line with five round-trippers. When healthy, he is worth a look in five outfielder leagues, especially if he bats in the top half of the lineup.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (calf) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a calf injury. Hays was held out of the starting lineup on Tuesday due to this injury and will now miss the start of the regular season. Hays signed a one-year contract with the Reds during the offseason. Last summer, the 29-year-old posted a .255/.303/.396 slash line split between time with the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies. He generated a modest .234 xBA with a low 3.5 percent walk rate. When healthy, Hays was expected to be the primary left fielder and was even projected to bat in the cleanup spot. However, while sidelined fantasy managers should expect Blake Dunn or Gavin Lux to have an increased role in left field.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (calf), who was expected to be in the team's starting lineup while batting cleanup on Tuesday for an exhibition game against minor-leaguers, was absent due to a calf injury, according to the team's radio broadcast. It's unknown if the injury will keep him out for Opening Day on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants. Hays went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI in the team's final Cactus League game on Sunday and also hit .310 during spring training. It's unclear when he my have picked up the injury, but with Spencer Steer (shoulder) opening on the injured list, Hays should see plenty of playing time in left field for the Reds to open the year as long as he's healthy. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal for $5 million with Cincy in the offseason. Hays spent time on the injured list last year with Baltimore due to a strained left calf, so this injury will be worth watching.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal on Tuesday with free-agent outfielder Austin Hays, according to a source briefed on the discussions. The deal is pending a physical and includes $1 million in incentives. The former third-rounder of the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 out of Jacksonville University was in a platoon role with the O's in 2024 before being dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies. The 29-year-old struggled in his time with Philly and also dealt with a kidney infection last September. It could help explain why Hays hit only .255/.303/.396 with just five home runs in 85 combined games with the Phils and O's after he was a first-time All-Star in 2023. He hit .256 with a .672 OPS in 22 games for Philly, but he was an above-average offensive player before last season. The Reds will be hoping he can rebound and at least fill the short side of an outfield platoon against left-handed pitching.

Outfielder Austin Hays was informed that he was non-tendered on Friday by the Philadelphia Phillies, making him a free agent. It was a tough year for Hays, who battled a kidney infection after being dealt to the Phillies from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline in the summer. The 29-year-old should attract plenty of interest on the open market this offseason, as he's just a year removed from being an All-Star and Gold Glove finalist. The former third-round pick of the O's in 2016 out of Jacksonville University hit a combined .255/.303/.396 with a below-average .699 OPS, only five home runs, 20 RBI, two steals and 26 runs scored in 85 games with Baltimore and Philly. With better health in 2025, Hays could most certainly carve out a starting role with another team if he lands in the right situation.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Austin Hays is not in the team's starting lineup for Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday versus the division-rival New York Mets at Citi Field. With Hays on the bench in this must-win game for the Phillies, Weston Wilson will get the nod in left field and will bat out of the eight-hole against Mets left-hander Jose Quintana. Wilson should probably be avoided in DFS lineups down in the eight-hole, especially since he's gone hitless with two strikeouts in six career at-bats versus the veteran southpaw Quintana. Hays will retreat to the bench after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the Game 3 loss on Tuesday. Wilson, 30, hit a nice .284 (25-for-88) during the regular season, but it came with only three long balls, 10 RBI and three steals. He didn't see a plate appearance in the first three games of the series.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Austin Hays (back) is dealing with a sore back, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Hays has started in each of the past three games but will take a seat on Saturday afternoon out of precaution. Fantasy managers need to monitor the Philadelphia starting nine on Sunday, as Hays may be given an additional day to rest before the playoffs begin next week. As a result, Weston Wilson will cover left field and bat in the eight-hole on Saturday. Since joining the Phillies at the trade deadline, Hays has held a .256/.275/.397 slash line with five doubles and two home runs. Wilson should be avoided in DFS this afternoon while facing Washington ace MacKenzie Gore.