Reds FeedKe'Bryan Hayes
3B · Age 29 · Bats Right
Where things stand
Ke'Bryan Hayes remains sidelined with a hamstring injury after the Cincinnati Reds placed him on the injured list before a late August series against the Cubs, with Edwin Arroyo called up to fill his roster spot. Hayes has struggled significantly in 2026 with a .453 OPS and career-low offensive production, though his elite defense has kept him in the lineup when healthy. The Reds appear committed to retaining Hayes despite his poor performance, as the approximately $30 million remaining on his contract through 2030 and the team's financial constraints from other injuries make trading him unlikely.
Synthesized by MLB Feed Network from the 12 stories below. How we write these
2026 season
Stats from the MLB Stats API.
Contract
See the full Reds payroll.
Ke'Bryan Hayes coverage
5 Reds prospects who won't be called up in September, but could have an impact in 2027
Edwin Arroyo was recently called up to the Reds earlier than expected to replace injured third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. The article identifies five prospects unlikely to be promoted this September but potentially impactful in 2027, including pitcher Alfredo Duno, who may debut late in 2027 to preserve his rookie eligibility for 2028 and help the team gain an extra draft pick. Outfielder Carlos Jorge, a 22-year-old with 31 stolen bases at Double-A, could become a left-handed platoon option in center field next season. First-round pick Cam Collier has struggled at Double-A Chattanooga with a .211 average following a spring 2025 hamate injury, leaving the Reds uncertain whether to add him to the 40-man roster this offseason.
Blog Red MachineEdwin Arroyo joins Reds but two September call-up decisions still remain
Edwin Arroyo was promoted to the Reds to fill the roster spot left by injured Ke'Bryan Hayes, after improving significantly in Triple-A with a .265/.359/.500 slash line and four home runs in 19 games following his July demotion. Pitcher Graham Ashcraft is expected to claim the second September roster spot once he completes his rehab assignment from a right UCL sprain that sidelined him since May. The Reds still need to fill one additional position player spot in September, with Leo Balcazar or Juan Brito likely candidates from their 40-man roster. September expansion gives Cincinnati two extra roster spots to use, with the team positioned to evaluate key pieces for its future rather than pursue a playoff push.
Blog Red MachineHayes (groin strain) placed on 10-day IL; Arroyo recalled
MLB.com RedsThe Reds still have a Ke’Bryan Hayes mess on their hands
Ke'Bryan Hayes has shown modest improvement for the Cincinnati Reds since August, raising his OPS to .588 this month after struggling at .463 for the season, but the team placed him on the injured list with a hamstring injury before a series against the Cubs. Despite Hayes's poor performance and injury history during his 13 months with Cincinnati, the Reds appear unlikely to move on from him due to the approximately $30 million remaining on his contract through 2030. The team seems committed to attempting to improve Hayes during the offseason, with 58% of fans surveyed believing he will remain the Reds' third baseman heading into 2027.
Red ReporterReds call up Edwin Arroyo, place Ke’Bryan Hayes on the IL
The Cincinnati Reds called up infielder Edwin Arroyo from Triple-A Louisville and placed third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain. Hayes is eligible to return on September 6th or later. Arroyo, who struggled in his previous stint with Cincinnati earlier this season, has been inconsistent recently with the Bats, going 1-15 since August 21st. Hayes is making his second trip to the injured list this season and has been hitting poorly, batting .171/.237/.300 in 32 games since returning from a back injury before the All-Star break.
Redleg NationCincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs – August 28, 2026
The Cincinnati Reds begin a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, with both teams struggling at 4-6 over their last ten games. Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder will face Cubs left-hander David Peterson, with first pitch scheduled for 2:20pm ET. Lowder has improved significantly since a rough start to the second half, posting a 3.86 ERA over his last six starts with the Reds going 5-1 in those games. The Reds also made a roster move before the game, calling up Edwin Arroyo and placing Ke'Bryan Hayes on the injured list with a groin strain.
Redleg NationHunter Greene's injury leaves Reds with an ominous Ke'Bryan Hayes reality
Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery for a UCL injury and will miss the remainder of 2026 and likely all of 2027, with the earliest possible return in 2028. The Reds will still owe Greene $15.3 million in 2027 and $16.3 million in 2028 while needing to acquire another starting pitcher to fill the rotation gap, potentially costing an additional $7 million to $23 million depending on their approach. This financial constraint makes it unlikely Cincinnati will trade or release third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, who is owed $8 million next season, despite his offensive struggles since arriving from Pittsburgh last summer.
Blog Red Machine7 Reds who are playing their way out of the team's 2027 plans
With about a month remaining in the 2026 season, several Cincinnati Reds players are underperforming and facing potential roster changes. Outfielder TJ Friedl, once a fan favorite and playoff contributor, has declined significantly this year and may not be retained due to arbitration costs. Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes provides elite defense but has struggled offensively while carrying a $25 million contract through 2029, creating a difficult decision for the organization. Relief pitcher Sam Moll performed well early in the season but has been unreliable since the All-Star break, and his future may depend on the team's plans for free agent Brock Burke. Prospect Michael Toglia was recently called up but has not translated his Triple-A success to the majors and faces likely release after the season since he has exhausted his minor-league options. Shortstop Noelvi Marte continues to underperform relative to expectations, with manager Terry Francona having criticized his work ethic.
Blog Red MachineMatt McLain and Ke'Bryan Hayes are creating a major Reds' roster dilemma
The Cincinnati Reds rank last in weighted runs created plus at 87 and 27th in runs scored, with third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes and second baseman Matt McLain contributing significantly to the offensive struggles. Hayes is having his worst season with a .453 OPS and 19 wRC+, while also posting career-lows in defensive metrics, though his $23 million contract through 2029 makes him nearly impossible to trade. McLain has seen his value decline since his 2023 debut, posting a 79 wRC+ despite solid defense at second base, but the Reds would have to accept minimal return to move him. The team faces a difficult offseason decision as Hayes appears untradeable due to his contract while McLain could only be dealt at a steep discount.
Blog Red MachineReds broadcast's defense of Sal Stewart included Ke'Bryan Hayes catching a stray
The 2026 National League Rookie of the Year race features Cincinnati's Sal Stewart, an All-Star with 27 home runs and a league-leading 94 RBIs, against St. Louis's JJ Wetherholt, known for his defensive skills and baserunning. During Wednesday's Reds-Cardinals broadcast, announcer Jeff Brantley argued that Stewart should be the runaway favorite, dismissing the emphasis on defensive metrics and suggesting that if fielding alone mattered, the Reds' Ke'Bryan Hayes should win MVP—an unintended jab at Hayes's offensive struggles despite his two Gold Glove Awards. Brantley contended that elevating a player hitting .243 over Stewart's offensive production requires more justification than defensive prowess alone.
Blog Red MachineReds could unlock the best version of Sal Stewart with one bold move
Sal Stewart, the Reds' 22-year-old rookie first baseman, is on pace for 30 home runs and 100 RBIs with a 114 wRC+ in his debut season. The article suggests Cincinnati could maximize his value by moving him back to third base, his original minor league position, since he's a solid defender there and elite offensive production is more valuable at that position than at first base. This shift would also free up first base for another slugger and would allow the team to phase out Ke'Bryan Hayes, whose batting average and wRC+ have declined significantly this season.
Blog Red MachineKe'Bryan Hayes is finally giving the Reds glimpses, but the outlook remains bleak
Reds third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes is struggling at the plate with a career-worst -0.4 bWAR and just 35 times reaching base in 68 games through August 16, though his elite defense has kept him in the lineup. After returning from a May bulging disc injury, Hayes made swing adjustments that showed promise in minor-league rehab but haven't translated to the majors yet. Statcast data indicates Hayes should be performing much better, as he ranks fourth in squaring up pitches but generates little power, possibly due to his persistent back issues limiting his ability to generate torque. A recent uptick in home runs, with three since late July all hit at 100 mph or harder, suggests Hayes may be starting to turn things around.
Blog Red Machine