Reds Stun Fans by DFA’ing Jeimer Candelario Immediately After IL Return
In a move that caught nearly everyone off guard, the Cincinnati Reds reinstated Jeimer Candelario from the injured list—only to designate him for assignment just hours later. The surprising decision all but ends Candelario’s underwhelming stint in Cincinnati, where he appeared in just 132 games since signing a major deal before the 2024 season.
Candelario had been sidelined with a back injury since April 30, but his offensive struggles began well before that. Through 22 games this year, he slashed just .113/.198/.213, leaving many fans speculating that his IL stint may have been a temporary shield from being DFA’d. His performance in Triple-A Louisville during his rehab wasn’t much better, where he hit just .211 with a .652 OPS over 15 games—sealing his fate.
Signed to a three-year, $45 million contract before the 2024 season, Candelario’s production never lived up to expectations. Outside of a brief hot stretch in June of last year, the veteran infielder struggled mightily, finishing 2024 with a .225/.279/.429 line and an 87 wRC+ before landing on the IL again late last season.
While the decision may seem uncharacteristic for a typically conservative Reds front office, it has been met with approval from much of the fanbase. The club’s patience clearly ran out, signaling that Cincinnati is serious about contending now. Manager Terry Francona has also appeared to regain confidence in Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who had been benched recently but may now see more opportunities. Meanwhile, with Noelvi Marte set to return from an oblique injury soon, a clearer path to playing time has opened.
Financially, the Reds will still bear the brunt of Candelario’s contract, with $32 million remaining through 2026. The team has roughly a week to attempt a trade, but it’s unlikely any club would absorb that salary. Candelario will most likely hit free agency, where he’ll look to land a minor league deal to try and rebuild his value.
While cutting ties with an expensive veteran is a bold step, it may be just the beginning. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, this aggressive move suggests the Reds are ready to make more impactful changes in their pursuit of the postseason.
