Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in his team's 13-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox. He also notched a two-run triple -- his fourth in 35 contests. The 29-year-old picked up his first multi-hit game and homer since returning from the injured list a few days ago due to a foot injury. Hays was hitting well before sustaining the ailment, and has already collected four RBI in four appearances since rejoining the squad. Overall, he's slashing a strong .295/.336/.568 with seven long balls, seven doubles, 29 RBI, and 26 runs scored. If he can stay healthy, he'll have plenty of RBI opportunities batting from the four-hole in Cincinnati's lineup. However, it's important to note he's outproducing his .256 xBA by a good margin.

The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Austin Hays (foot) from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. Hays has been an everyday player for the Reds this year when he's been healthy, and he'll step back into that role, but the team will ease him back in as the designated hitter at first for Friday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Dylan Cease. The 29-year-old has been out since May 29 with a left-foot contusion. Hays has had a tough time staying on the field in 2025, but when he's been active, he's been useful in mixed fantasy leagues with a .303/.346/.555 slash line, .901 OPS, six home runs, 25 RBI, 23 runs scored and two stolen bases in 119 at-bats. Outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) was put on the IL in a corresponding move with Hays returning.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (foot) will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday with Double-A Chattanooga, reports Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The plan is for him to be re-evaluated on Thursday with the potential to be activated on Friday. The 29-year-old has struggled to stay healthy this season, with his most recent IL-stint beginning on May 30 with a bone bruise in his foot. The Reds' newcomer has been great when healthy, batting .303 with six home runs in 31 games, so he's someone to target in five-outfielder leagues if you need the help.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (foot) was scheduled to do some running before the team's series finale on Thursday against the visiting Minnesota Twins at Great American Ballpark, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. The Reds are going to play it safe and take the process slower with Hays this time after he was shut down last week with lingering soreness in his left foot. The 29-year-old outfielder has been out with a bruised foot since late May and probably won't be able to make it back before the All-Star break in mid-July. If Hays doesn't have another setback once he's able to run full speed, he's likely going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the 10-day injured list. Hays was hitting .303 (36-for-119) with six homers in 31 games in an everyday role in left field before his injury, but he's already been on the IL twice with separate injuries.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (foot) said his bruised left foot isn't any better after taking the last two days off from baseball activities, and now he'll shut things down for a few more days before easing back into running if the pain subsides enough. For now, the 29-year-old doesn't have any testing scheduled. The good news is that Hays doesn't have any structural damage to his foot, but he hasn't played since May 28 and will need to ramp up again once he resumes running before potentially going on a minor-league rehab assignment. He has been on the injured list multiple times already in 2025, and while Hays has hit a nice .303/.346/.555 with a .901 OPS in his 119 at-bats when available for the Reds, there's a chance we might not see him again until after the All-Star break. Will Benson and Spencer Steer have been platooning in left field with Hays out.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (foot) had another MRI exam on Wednesday morning because of persistent pain in his left food, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer. The good news is that the MRI still showed no fracture in his foot, and he's been diagnosed with a deep bone bruise. The 29-year-old will be re-evaluated on Friday. Hays has served as the team's regular left fielder this year when he's been healthy, but the problem is he's already been on the injured list several times and doesn't appear close to a return to the big leagues. The former third-rounder by the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 has slashed .303/.346/.555 with a .901 OPS, six home runs, 25 RBI, 23 runs and two steals in his 119 at-bats. In the month of June with Hays on the IL, the Reds have mostly used a combination of Will Benson and Spencer Steer in left field.

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer reports that Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (foot) is eyeing a possible return from the 10-day injured list by the end of the series this week against the Cleveland Guardians that runs from Monday through Wednesday. Hays is on the IL with a left-foot contusion but ditched his walking boot last week and apparently will rejoin the big-league roster without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 29-year-old is very injury-prone and has already been on the IL multiple times in 2025, but when healthy, he's seen regular playing time in left field for Cincy and has swung the bat well. In 119 at-bats this year, the former third-rounder by the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 has hit .303 with six home runs, 25 RBI, 23 runs scored and two steals. If he's available on your league's waiver wire, scoop him up now.

The Cincinnati Reds have placed outfielder Austin Hays (foot) on the 10-day injured list with a left-foot contusion. In a corresponding move, the Reds activated outfielder Jake Fraley (calf) from the injured list. Hays suffered this injury during Wednesday's contest against the Kansas City Royals when he fouled a ball off his foot. Hays spent time on the injured list earlier this season with a hamstring injury. However, when on the field, Hays has been very productive, posting a .303/.346/.555 slash line with six home runs and two stolen bases. He has generated a strong .354 xwOBA and a .502 xSLG. Fraley has held a .205/.319/.359 line through his first 28 games. While Hays is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Gavin Lux to see most of the time in left field. Fraley will likely split time between the DH spot and right field alongside Will Benson and Connor Joe. Given his limited expected role, he will only carry value in deeper 14+ team formats.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (foot) was removed from Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals in the eighth inning after fouling a pitch off his left foot, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer. Hays was diagnosed with a bruised foot. Before leaving the contest, the 29-year-old went 0-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and a strikeout. It remains to be seen how serious his foot injury is, but Hays has already been on the injured list twice this season. When healthy, though, the former third-rounder by the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 out of Jacksonville University has been relevant in all fantasy leagues with a .303/.346/.555 slash line, .901 OPS, six home runs, 25 RBI, 23 runs and two steals in just 31 games played. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if Hays is available for the series opener at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays continued to produce in the team's 5-4 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park on Friday night, going 2-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season and his second stolen base of 2025. Hays' home run in the third inning of the ballgame opened the Reds' lead up to five runs, and it was his first long ball since he came off the injured list last week. The 29-year-old former third-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 out of Jacksonville University has produced for Cincy as their regular left fielder when healthy this year, going 24-for-76 (.316) with six homers, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and two steals. Since returning from the IL on May 9, Hays has gone 5-for-24 (.208) with a homer, double, three RBI, one steal and one run scored while striking out nine times in 25 plate appearances.

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.