AUSTIN HAYS NEWS

MLB insider says Austin Hays is 'best fit' for Guardians in free agency The Cleveland Guardians need to improve their outfield, and acquiring Austin Hays in free agency would be one of the best ways for them to i...

3 DAYS AGO • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Adding this former All-Star outfielder would be an obvious win for the Guardians While Austin Hays isn't the biggest free agent name available, he's an obvious fit for the Guardians thanks to his ability to mash left-hand...

NOVEMBER 25 • AWAYBACKGONE.COM

Reds decline 2026 options on Hays, Barlow, Suter CINCINNATI -- Ahead of Thursday's deadline, the Reds declined the 2026 options on three players. Left fielder Austin Hays did not have his $...

NOVEMBER 5 • MLB.COM

Enters free agency The Reds declined Hays' $12 million mutual option for 2026 on Wednesday.

Impact Hays will be given a $1 million buyout. The 30-year-old slashed .266/.315/.453 with 15 home runs over 103 regular-season contests for the Reds in 2025. The right-handed-hitting Hays batted .319/.400/.549 against left-handed pitching this season and could draw interest as a short-side platoon outfielder in free agency.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Roki Sasaki's dazzling postseason debut comes after rookie season filled with ups and downs

Roki Sasaki shined in his postseason pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, sealing their sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a flawless ninth inning in the NL Wild Card Series...

OCTOBER 2 • Associated Press

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Shines as Dodgers Sweep Reds to Reach NL Division Series

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out nine as the Dodgers eliminated the Reds to advance to the National League Division Series.

OCTOBER 2 • FOX SPORTS

Reds watch hope fade as season ends in Wild Card sweep

Chasing their first playoff victory since 2012, the Cincinnati Reds instead watched the season slip away Wednesday night

OCTOBER 2 • Associated Press

Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines as Dodgers sweep Reds to reach NL Division Series

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out nine as the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the National League Division Series

OCTOBER 2 • Associated Press

Back in lineup for Game 1 Hays (back) will start in left field and bat cleanup Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Dodgers.

Impact It's Hays' first start since Sept. 20, as he's been battling back spasms. He was able to see action as a pinch hitter in the final game of the regular season Sunday and will hit in the middle of the lineup against Blake Snell in the Dodgers as the Reds kick off postseason play.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Included on wild-card roster Hays (back) is on the Reds' wild-card roster.

Impact Hays hasn't started a game since Sept. 20 due to back spasms, but he made a pinch-hitting appearance during Sunday's regular-season finale in Milwaukee and came out of it well enough to be included on his club's wild-card roster. With lefty Blake Snell starting Game 1 for the Dodgers on Tuesday, there's a good chance the right-handed-hitting Hays will be in the lineup.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Hays could be available off bench for critical Game 162 MILWAUKEE -- After missing the Reds' last six games with back spasms, left fielder Austin Hays appeared nearly ready to return. “I’m feeling...

SEPTEMBER 28 • MLB.COM

On bench for regular-season finale Hays (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact Hays took swings in the batting cage Saturday and felt good afterward, which is an encouraging sign as he felt discomfort while hitting earlier in the week. Still, the outfielder will be idle for Cincinnati's regular-season finale. The Reds will clinch a spot in the postseason with a win or a Mets loss Sunday. It's unclear if Hays would be good to go in time for the NL Wild Card Series, though. Gavin Lux will fill left field Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for regular-season finale Hays (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact Hays took swings in the batting cage Saturday and felt good afterward, which is an encouraging sign as he felt discomfort while hitting earlier in the week. Still, the outfielder will be idle for Cincinnati's regular-season finale. The Reds will clinch a spot in the postseason with a win or a Mets loss Sunday. It's unclear if Hays would be good to go in time for the wild-card round, however.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Responds well to work Saturday Hays (back) felt good after hitting in the batting cage Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Hays had felt guarded with his injury in activities earlier in the week but came out of Saturday's session feeling "much better," according the Reds manager Terry Francona. Hays also did some running and agility drills on the field, but the team will monitor how he bounces back before making any decisions regarding his availability for Sunday's regular season finale, a game in which the Reds can clinch a wild-card spot with a win (or a Mets loss).

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Responds well to work Saturday Hays (back) felt good after hitting in the batting cage Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Hays had felt guarded with his injury in activities earlier in the week but came out of Saturday's session feeling "much better," according to Reds manager Terry Francona. Hays also did some running and agility drills on the field, but the team will monitor how he bounces back before making any decisions regarding his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale, a game in which the Reds can clinch a wild-card spot with a win (or a Mets loss).

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Idle again Saturday Hays (back) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact Hays hasn't appeared in a game since Sept. 20 due to back spasms. Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that Hays tried hitting Thursday and still felt discomfort. Spencer Steer will fill left field Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Saturday Hays (back) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact Hays hasn't appeared in a game since Sept. 20 due to back spasms. Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that Hays tried hitting Thursday and still felt discomfort. Spencer Steer will fill left field Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Tries hitting Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that Hays (back) tried hitting Thursday and felt uncomfortable, MLB.com reports.

Impact Hays has not played since exiting last Saturday's game with back spams. A combination of Gavin Lux and Will Benson have played left field while Hays is out.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out of lineup Hays (back) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game in Milwaukee.

Impact Hays hasn't played since Sept. 20 because of back spasms. He reported improvement Thursday but was not available off the bench, and it's unclear whether he'll make it back before the end of the season. Gavin Lux is in left field and batting third for the Reds on Friday.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Feeling better Hays (back) was feeling better Thursday but not available to play, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Impact Hays, who didn't respond well to running earlier in the week, has missed the last four games. It's unclear when, or if, Hays will be able to rejoin the club, which is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Reds manager Terry Francona indicated Thursday that placement on the injured list is unlikely, as that would force Hays to miss postseason action, should Cincinnati qualify. "I think we're much better off trying to see if we can nurse him through this and have him be available," the manager said. Will Benson has started in left field all four games without Hays.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Austin Hays scholarship awards Ohio student with $20,000 Outfielder Austin Hays, in conjunction with the Reds and Bold.org, brought back the Austin Hays “All Your Heart” scholarship, which awarded...

SEPTEMBER 25 • MLB.COM

Hays (back) making progress, but not ready for game action yet CINCINNATI -- For the past few days while being out with back spasms, Reds left fielder Austin Hays has tested his injury on the field by do...

SEPTEMBER 25 • MLB.COM

Remains out of lineup Hays (back) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Pirates.

Impact Hays will miss a fourth consecutive start as he deals with back spasms. It's unclear when, or if, he'll be able to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season. Will Benson will again start in left field for the Reds on Thursday.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Stephenson leads Reds against the Pirates after 4-hit game

The Cincinnati Reds play the Pittsburgh Pirates after Tyler Stephenson's four-hit game on Wednesday

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

Held out again Wednesday Hays (back) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Pirates.

Impact Hays will miss a third straight start as he deals with back spasms. He went through a pregame workout Tuesday to test out his back and that didn't go well, so it's unclear when he might be ready to play again. Will Benson will grab another start in left field for the Reds.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE