Jacob

Hurtubise

The 27-year-old outfielder struggled in his limited action with the Reds, hitting .083 (1-for-12) with a 6/1 K/BB ratio. He’ll continue to work on things in an everyday role at Triple-A Louisville until he’s called upon again.

Hurtubise opened the season in the majors, but he started just one of 16 games before he was sent down and finished 1-for-7. He’ll serve as a fifth outfielder until Austin Hays returns.

Hurtubise started just one of the Reds’ first 16 games while taking the roster spot opened up by Austin Hays’ injury and wound up 1-for-7, though he also walked once and was hit by pitches twice. He’ll head back to Louisville and wait for another opportunity to materialize.

The Reds aren’t calling it an oblique issue specifically so we’re going to assume that Fraley is day-to-day for now. It’ll be Blake Dunn moving over to right field with Jacob Hurtubise stepping into the lineup to cover left field.

The move opens up a spot on the active roster for Jacob Hurtubise. Fairchild will now hit waivers, and a team looking for a potential bat off the bench could show interest. It’s just as likely — if not more so — that he goes unclaimed and reports to Triple-A Louisville.

Hurtubise’s bat never got going in his first taste of the majors. The 26-year-old outfielder hit .185 with no home runs and four RBI in 54 at-bats. He’ll head back to Triple-A, but with his speed he could be interesting if he gets another chance in the majors later this year.

It sounded like this was still at least a few days away, but the Reds are bringing Friedl back from a thumb fracture without the benefit of a rehab assignment. He’ll resume playing center field most of the time, and Jacob Hurtubise will probably head to the bench for the most part, though he might have a chance to start over Will Benson if he gets hot.

Hurtubise will be making his major league debut as a result of TJ Friedl’s injury. The 26-year-old just returned from injury himself, having missed the first month. He’s played in only nine games this year, going 7-for-29. He busted out last year, hitting .330/.479/.483 with seven homers and 45 steals between Double- and Triple-A. He doesn’t project as a long-term starter, but with his speed, he’ll be interesting if he gets a chance here against righties.

Legumina and Spiers maybe had slight chances of cracking the Reds’ pen, but it would have taken awfully impressive springs. Those two have the best chances of helping the team this year, though it’s possible Hurtubise’s left-handed bat could make him useful as a reserve outfielder if a need arises.

The 25-year-old outfielder had a breakthrough season in 2023 — slashing .330/.479/.483 with seven long balls, 46 RBI and 45 stolen bases in 455 plate appearances between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. He then went on to hit .267/.380/.311 with 13 RBI and 11 swipes in 23 games during the Arizona Fall League. With his speed and defensive ability, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him debut with the Reds at some point during the 2024 season — even if it’s only in a reserve outfielder role.