Hays went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Astros.
Hays signed with the Padres earlier Sunday. He didn't get the start, but he delivered a two-run shot while pinch hitting for Gavin Sheets in the eighth inning. Hays is likely to fill a short-side platoon role in the outfield during his time with the Padres. He is batting .250 with a .676 OPS, two homers, nine RBI, four runs scored, one double and no stolen bases over 13 games between the Padres and the White Sox this season, and he had a .779 OPS over 20 games with Triple-A Charlotte before the White Sox released him.
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Padres' Austin Hays: Finds work in San Diego
Rotowire
Hays agreed to a one-year contract with the Padres on Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
After the White Sox activated Hays from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Wednesday, he ended up hitting the open market a few days later upon clearing waivers. The Padres will end up bringing Hays aboard on a low-cost deal with the hope that the 31-year-old can fill the short side of a platoon in the corner outfield, and he could even push into an everyday role if he gets hot at the plate to begin his time in the organization. Hays generated a lowly .576 OPS over 44 plate appearances with the White Sox this season but was productive during a recent 11-game rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte, slashing .279/.289/.605.
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Austin Hays: Released by ChiSox
Rotowire
The White Sox released Hays on Friday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Hays was DFA'd by Chicago on Wednesday and will now be free to look for an opportunity elsewhere after he slashed .233/.250/.326 with one homer, seven RBI, three runs scored and a 1:13 BB:K across 44 plate appearances this season. Since the beginning of the 2025 season, Hays has a .914 OPS against left-handed pitching.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: Activated, DFA'd
Rotowire
The White Sox reinstated Hays (calf) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment Wednesday.
Hays has spent most of the season on the IL while recovering from hamstring and calf injuries, appearing in just 12 games for the White Sox and slashing .233/.250/.326 across 44 plate appearances. The 31-year-old is healthy again and was productive over an 11-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte with an .894 OPS, but the White Sox didn't have a bench role available for him and opted to drop him from the 40-man roster. Hays should draw ample interest on waivers and could settle into a short-side platoon role in the corner outfield with his next team.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: Cleared for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Hays (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hays has been shelved since May 4 due to a left calf strain and was moved to the 60-day injured list in early June after suffering a setback in his rehab assignment. He's made enough progress over the last month to resume playing minor-league games, but given his lengthy stint on the shelf, Hays could require an extended stay at Charlotte before rejoining the White Sox's active roster.
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White Sox's Austin Hays: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The White Sox transferred Hays (calf) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Braden Montgomery. Hays had a setback with his left calf while on a rehab assignment last week and remains shut down. He is now ineligible for activation until early July, and there is no timetable for the veteran outfielder.
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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.
