The Cincinnati Reds just shocked their entire fanbase by reinstating Jeimer Candelario from the injured list, and immediately designating him for assignment. This move effectively ends Candelario’s disappointing run in Cincinnati after appearing in just 132 games.
Candelario had been on the IL with a back injury since April 30, but even before his IL placement, the veteran was struggling mightily at the dish. Candelario was hitting just .113/.198/.213 through his first 22 games this season, and many Reds fans assumed his trip to the IL was just a way for Cincinnati to avoid designating him for assignment. He didn’t show enough improvement, and the result was completely unexpected.
The Reds signed Candelario to a three-year, $45 million deal prior to last season, and outside of a month-long stretch in June of 2024, the infielder has been one of the team’s worst hitters. Before ending last season on the IL, Candelario hit just .225/.279/.429 with an 87 wRC+.
Reds make earth-shattering roster decision, DFA Jeimer Candelario
This is a move that will sit well with the fanbase who’d grown tired of Candelario’s lack of production. It’s also a sign that Cincinnati is focused on winning this season, and doesn’t have the time to wait for an overpaid veteran bat to figure things out. Not only did Candelario struggle through the first month of the season, but he was hitting just .211 with a .652 OPS in 15 games at Triple-A Louisville.
This move also signals that, at least for the moment, Terry Francona hasn’t lost faith in Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The Reds’ skipper had benched Encarnacion-Strand the past three days, a signal that perhaps the slugger was going to be sent back to the minor leagues.
The Reds are expecting Noelvi Marte (who’s been sidelined with an oblique injury) to return to the active roster in the coming weeks. With Candelario gone, there’s a clear path for playing time for Marte once he returns from the IL.
The Reds still have to pay Jeimer Candelario’s contract through the 2026 season
This move will cost the Reds a boatload of money. Cincinnati is on the hook for the remainder of Candelario’s contrat, which runs through the 2026 season. Coming into the season, the Reds still owed Candelario $32 million.
The Reds will now have about a week to trade or release Candelario. Seeing as how no team in their right mind would take on that contract, look for the veteran to hit the free agent market in the coming days and eventually sign a minor-league deal in order to reestablish his value.
This is not the type of move the Reds typically make, but it’s definitely a welcome change. All eyes will now shift to the MLB trade deadline. Will the Reds be as aggressive as they look to push for a spot in the postseason? DFA’ing Candelario is the clearest signal yet that suggests they’ll do just that.
