Jeimer

Candelario

Candelario hit the injured list back in late August with a fractured left big toe and the fact that he’s yet to resume any sort of baseball activities isn’t an encouraging sign for his late-season availability.

The deal is pending a physical. Smith got off to a rough start with the Red Sox but was far more effective from July on, hitting .272/.330/.485 in 112 plate appearances since the beginning of July. However, with Triston Casas coming back, the Red Sox had to move on from Smith, so the veteran will go back to the NL. His presence in Cincinnati is not good news for Jeimer Candalerio’s potential return to the field in 2024 and means that Ty France is not a locked into at-bats as the starting first baseman as we had previously believed.

Well, that’s not the move we were expecting to make room for Amed Rosario on the Reds roster. It does make Rosario worth a look in mixed leagues, though. Ty France, who had seemed destined to lose playing time to Rosario, will likely remain the Reds’ primary first baseman for now.

Candelario’s home run was his 20th of the season. He hit a solo shot off Angel Zerpa in the seventh inning. Candelario was hitting .255 with an .817 OPS in his first 67 games this year, but has fallen off since late June. In his last 43 games, he’s hitting just .183 with six home runs and 19 RBI. Candelario is hitting .226 with a .712 OPS and 56 RBI on the year.

The Reds’ offense had a lackluster game against Robbie Ray and San Francisco’s bullpen with Candelario’s blast accounting for exactly half of their runs. The home run was Candelario’s 18th of the season and the RBI his 51st as he very quietly has put together a solid season.

It’s a rare off day for Candelario, who went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI during Monday’s series opener at Truist Park. It’s the first time he’s been out of the lineup since June 29, despite the fact he’s been playing through some lingering right knee tendinitis this season. It’ll be Santiago Espinal taking a turn at designated hitter in his absence.

The Reds were hopeless for most of this game against Tarik Skubal and Candelario accounted for one of their three hits off him and the only run batted in. Candelario has managed to keep himself above water with 14 homers and a .749 OPS in what was meant to be a very crowded infield mix for the Reds.

As expected, Candelario is sitting out Saturday’s contest due to right knee tendinitis, but there’s optimism he’ll be ready to return for Sunday’s series finale.

Candelario has missed each of the team’s last three games due to a knee issue and he’ll sit on Saturday as well. The team doesn’t want him to miss a full 10 days though and they’re very hopeful that he’ll be able to return to action on Sunday. Fantasy mangers may still want to sit him through the weekend though to be on the safe side if alternative options are available.

It’s the third straight game that the 30-year-old slugger has missed due to the knee issue. There haven’t been any indications yet that the injury will require a trip to the injured list, but if it lingers through the weekend the Reds may be forced to make a move. Noelvi Marte will start at the hot corner on Friday night while Spencer Steer mans first base for the Reds.