Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario (No. 3) rounds the bases after launching a home run in the opening inning of a matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Downtown Cincinnati.
On Sunday, the Reds officially released infielder Jeimer Candelario after he went unclaimed on waivers, following his designation for assignment the previous Monday.
Candelario, 31, was midway through a three-year, $45 million contract signed ahead of the 2024 season—making him the most expensive free agent the team had landed in half a decade.
The veteran, who covered both first and third base, had been sidelined with a lumbar spine strain since late April. After exhausting his minor league rehab window, the Reds activated him on Monday but opted to release him—still on the hook for nearly $23 million.
Before landing on the injured list, Candelario appeared in 22 games, starting 12 times at third and seven at first. However, his offensive struggles were glaring; he hit just .113 (9-for-80) with two home runs and 10 RBIs. His final appearance came on April 27, when he went hitless in four at-bats as the designated hitter in an 8-1 road victory over the Rockies.
In his debut season with Cincinnati, Candelario played 112 games, batting .225 with 20 homers, 23 doubles, and 56 RBIs.
After earlier stops with the Cubs (2016–17) and Tigers (2017–22), Candelario had a breakout year in 2023, splitting time between the Nationals and Cubs. He hit .251 with career highs in home runs (22) and RBIs (70), performances that led the Reds to sign him in free agency.
Cincinnati has since turned the page, handing corner infield duties to Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third and Spencer Steer at first.
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