White Sox's Austin Hays: Pulled off rehab after setback
Rotowire
Hays has been pulled off his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte due to a recurrence of left calf soreness, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Hays had played seven rehab contests with Charlotte, but the left calf strain that sent him to the 10-day injured list in early May is still giving him trouble. He'll meet with the White Sox's training staff and develop a plan of attack for his rehab moving forward. Hays has been limited to only 12 games for Chicago this season because of hamstring and calf issues.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: At least two more rehab games
Rotowire
Hays (calf) will play in at least two more rehab games with Triple-A Charlotte before he is evaluated for a potential return, MLB.com reports.
Hays has played in seven rehab games and has gone 5-for-24 with two homers and a .208 batting average. The Knights will play Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning the earliest Hays could be activated based on this report would be Thursday. However, it's not a certainty that he will return at that point.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: Beginning rehab stint Tuesday
Rotowire
Hays (calf) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
Hays has been out of action since landing on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain in early May. He's already eligible for activation but will presumably need at least a few games to shake off rust. Jarred Kelenic has seen the bulk of the action in right field for the White Sox while Hays has been sidelined.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: Taking live BP
Rotowire
Manager Will Venable said Saturday that Hays (calf) has resumed taking live batting practice and could begin running the bases next week, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
Hays landed on the injured list Monday with a strained left calf, and running the bases will likely be one of the final hurdles he has to clear before returning to game action. It remains unclear whether the White Sox will send him out on a rehab assignment before activating him, but an updated timeline for his return may come out after he begins running.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: On bench again Sunday
Rotowire
Hays is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
Since being activated from the 10-day injured list Monday, Hays has started just twice in the White Sox's ensuing six games. Even with Everson Pereira (pectoral) landing on the IL on Wednesday, Hays looks like he may be limited to a part-time role in the Chicago outfield while he's struggled to a .233/.250/.326 slash line through 44 plate appearances on the season.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: Headed for IL
Rotowire
Hays is expected to require a trip to the 10-day injured list after being diagnosed with a right hamstring strain, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
Hays picked up the hamstring injury while playing the field Monday night against Baltimore, and he appears headed for the shelf after further evaluation. An official move will likely be made Tuesday, which could include calling up outfield help.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: Departs early Monday
Rotowire
Hays was lifted from Monday's game against the Orioles due to a right hamstring strain.
Hays pulled up early on an attempt to chase down a ball hit down the line in the top of the fourth inning, and he was forced to exit immediately after the play. The White Sox are calling the injury a right hamstring strain, and he'll be sent for further evaluation to determine if a trip to the injured list is warranted.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: Lands with White Sox
Rotowire
Hays signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the White Sox on Saturday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
After sending Luis Robert to the Mets earlier in the month, the White Sox will add some talent back to their outfield by bringing in Hays. The 30-year-old enjoyed one of his best seasons in the majors last year with the Reds, slashing .266/.315/.453 with 15 homers, 64 RBI and 60 runs scored while adding seven steals in 103 games. He's primarily played in left field over the past few seasons, but the White Sox may look to take advantage of his arm strength in right field, keeping Andrew Benintendi (Achilles) in left.
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Austin Hays: Enters free agency
Rotowire
The Reds declined Hays' $12 million mutual option for 2026 on Wednesday.
Hays will be given a $1 million buyout. The 30-year-old slashed .266/.315/.453 with 15 home runs over 103 regular-season contests for the Reds in 2025. The right-handed-hitting Hays batted .319/.400/.549 against left-handed pitching this season and could draw interest as a short-side platoon outfielder in free agency.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Back in lineup for Game 1
Rotowire
Hays (back) will start in left field and bat cleanup Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Dodgers.
It's Hays' first start since Sept. 20, as he's been battling back spasms. He was able to see action as a pinch hitter in the final game of the regular season Sunday and will hit in the middle of the lineup against Blake Snell in the Dodgers as the Reds kick off postseason play.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Responds well to work Saturday
Rotowire
Hays (back) felt good after hitting in the batting cage Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Hays had felt guarded with his injury in activities earlier in the week but came out of Saturday's session feeling "much better," according to Reds manager Terry Francona. Hays also did some running and agility drills on the field, but the team will monitor how he bounces back before making any decisions regarding his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale, a game in which the Reds can clinch a wild-card spot with a win (or a Mets loss).
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Reds' Austin Hays: Out again Saturday
Rotowire
Hays (back) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Milwaukee.
Hays hasn't appeared in a game since Sept. 20 due to back spasms. Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that Hays tried hitting Thursday and still felt discomfort. Spencer Steer will fill left field Saturday.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Tries hitting
Rotowire
Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that Hays (back) tried hitting Thursday and felt uncomfortable, MLB.com reports.
Hays has not played since exiting last Saturday's game due to back spams. Gavin Lux and Will Benson have played left field while Hays has been out.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Remains out of lineup
Rotowire
Hays (back) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game in Milwaukee.
Hays hasn't played since Sept. 20 because of back spasms. He reported improvement Thursday but was not available off the bench, and it's unclear whether he'll make it back before the end of the season. Gavin Lux is in left field and batting third for the Reds on Friday.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Feeling better
Rotowire
Hays (back) was feeling better Thursday but not available to play, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Hays, who didn't respond well to running earlier in the week, has missed the last four games. It's unclear when, or if, Hays will be able to rejoin the club, which is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Reds manager Terry Francona indicated Thursday that placement on the injured list is unlikely, as that would force Hays to miss postseason action, should Cincinnati qualify. "I think we're much better off trying to see if we can nurse him through this and have him be available," the manager said. Will Benson has started in left field all four games without Hays.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Held out again Wednesday
Rotowire
Hays (back) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Pirates.
Hays will miss a third straight start as he deals with back spasms. He went through a pregame workout Tuesday to test out his back and that didn't go well, so it's unclear when he might be ready to play again. Will Benson will grab another start in left field for the Reds.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Tests his back
Rotowire
Hays tested his back spasms by running on the field Tuesday and said it was "not great," MLB.com reports.
Hays has missed the last two games after experiencing the back issue Saturday. Will Benson has filled in at left field while Hays is unavailable. Both of those starts were against right-handers.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Idle Sunday
Rotowire
Hays (back) is out of the out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Hays left Saturday's 6-3 win due to back spasms, and he'll require at least one day off to recover. Will Benson, TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte will patrol the outfield from left to right.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Departs with back spasms
Rotowire
Hays was removed from Saturday's game against the Cubs due to back spasms.
Hays was lifted at the start of the sixth inning after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He was replaced in left field by Spencer Steer, who moved over from first base, while Sal Stewart entered the game to play first.
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Reds' Austin Hays: Idle for series finale
Rotowire
Hays is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.
Hays will get a chance to catch his breath Sunday after he had started in each of the Reds' last 12 games, during which he slashed .292/.300/.583 with four home runs, one stolen base, 10 RBI and seven runs. Will Benson will spell Hays in left field and will bat sixth.
