Gavin

Lux

It’s Lux’s third career four-hit game, two of which have come this season. His lack of power has been disappointing, particularly given his new home ballpark, but his .275/.360/.383 line is pretty solid, and it helps the Reds that he’s done his best work with men on; his OPS is about 200 points higher with runners on than with the bases empty.

Lux took Chris Paddack deep in the third inning with a runner on to cut the Twins’ lead to 7-4. The 27-year-old has provided some value with his .275 average and .365 on-base percentage, but that’s just his third homer of 2025 in 218 at-bats. Hopefully the ball starts traveling over the fence more often off the bat of Lux in the summer months. His home park should help.

Lux’s only hit of the game blew the game open against the Diamondbacks as he took Kendall Graven deep in the fourth inning with the bases loaded for a grand slam. It was only the second home run of the season for the 27-year-old. He’s slashing .285/.376/.403 with 21 runs scored and 26 RBI across 213 plate appearances.

Espinal had been hitting second regularly since replace Matt McLain in that spot last month, but it seems to be over now. He’d hit just .183/.238/.225 in 76 plate appearances since the switch. The Reds have Gavin Lux batting second and Tyler Stephenson hitting cleanup tonight.

Lux is back in the Reds’ lineup for the first time in three games as he continues to manage an ongoing back issue. The 27-year-old has avoided a trip to the injured list for now, but might continue to require the occasional maintenance day.

Gavin Lux is also getting the night off. Benson takes a seat with lefty Bailey Falter toeing the rubber for Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. The 26-year-old power/speed combo outfielder has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball of late, batting .478 (11-for-23) with five homers and one steal over his last seven games. It’ll be Connor Joe in right field with Tyler Stephenson getting a break from catching to occupy the DH spot on Tuesday evening.

Lux is in left field and batting fifth on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park after being scratched from Saturday’s lineup for precautionary reasons with back spasms. The 27-year-old former top prospect has been phenomenal this season in his Reds debut, batting .297/.386/.407 with 17 runs scored, one homer, 19 RBI and one steal through 42 games.

Lux was a late scratch for Saturday’s showdown against the Guardians, likely for precautionary reasons. The 27-year-old will take a seat with Will Benson now starting in left field and hitting fifth. Consider Lux day-to-day for now, but there’s a good chance he’ll get Sunday off as well just to be safe.

Hays will sit out both games of Wednesday’s twin bull due to a hamstring issue. The 29-year-old outfielder is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the issue. There should be some much-needed clarity on his status at some point in the near future. It’ll be Gavin Lux heading out to left field for Wednesday’s nightcap in his absence.

It appears to be a routine off day for McLain, who is hitting just .119 (5-for-42) with one homer and two steals in 11 games since returning from the injured list back on April 15. It’ll be Gavin Lux at second base during Sunday’s series finale against the Rockies.