CINCINNATI -- Austin Hays was smiling and excited inside the Reds¡¯ clubhouse on Tuesday afternoon. For the first time during the 2025 regular season, Hays was in Cincinnati's starting lineup after missing the first 16 games with a left calf strain.
"I finally get to wear the Reds¡¯ uniform," said Hays, a left fielder who started his first game as the designated hitter. "This is like my Opening Day. It¡¯s cool it¡¯s on Jackie Robinson Day."
Hays' performance in the Reds' 8-4 come-from-behind win over the Mariners made his debut that much sweeter. He went 2-for-4 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run against Luis Castillo during a four-run fifth inning that put Cincinnati ahead.
"It doesn¡¯t always work that quickly when a guy comes back, but I think we just missed him," Reds manager Terry Francona said.
The Reds, who trailed twice in the game, have won four straight games and six of their last seven. At 9-8, they are above the .500 mark for the first time since May 2, 2024.
While the Reds' pitching has been sensational and their defense has demonstrated improvement from last season, their offense lagged over the first two-plus weeks of the season. Entering Tuesday, it was ranked near the bottom of MLB in multiple hitting categories -- including average, OPS and average exit velocity. There were three consecutive 1-0 losses and a handful of wins with low offensive output.
The club has been banking on Tuesday's transactions changing that trajectory. Besides Hays being activated from the 10-day injured list, so was second baseman Matt McLain after he had been out since April 5 with a left hamstring strain.
"Having Haysie back helps a ton," said Gavin Lux, who was 4-for-4 with two RBIs in the win. "He lengthens out this lineup. Obviously getting him back and Matty helps a ton."
Hays, 29, was the lone major position player the Reds added via free agency when he signed a one-year, $5 million contract on Jan. 30.
"He can do damage in the middle of our lineup. He¡¯s going to be a great player for us. We¡¯re all excited for him," McLain said. "I think we all saw it in spring, and we all know he¡¯s a really good player. He¡¯s a guy we need in the lineup, so it¡¯s good to get him back.¡±
A 2023 All-Star for the Orioles, Hays endured a down 2024 season with Baltimore -- and with the Phillies, after he was traded -- because of injuries. They included an early-season left calf strain and a life-threatening kidney infection near the end of the season.
At Spring Training, Hays appeared healthy and driven to have a rebound season with his new club. He batted .310 with three home runs and a team-leading 14 RBIs over 16 spring games.
Following the final game of camp last month, Hays felt tightness in his calf that worsened ahead of Opening Day. During his three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, he hit a home run and felt good about where his swing was.
¡°Honestly, I felt really comfortable in the box," Hays said. "My timing felt good. I was able to barrel some balls up. When you know your swing is in a good spot, you just go compete. It¡¯s about building a good game plan with our guys and our team here and all buying into it."
McLain hit three homers over his first eight games and had some well-hit balls, despite batting .214 before going on the IL. In five plate appearances against Seattle, he walked three times and scored twice.
¡°I thought he ran really good, which was really important. He¡¯s going to hit. He¡¯ll make the plays," Francona said. "I was just glad his stride looked good to me.¡±
To get the lineup completely whole again, the Reds just need the return of Tyler Stephenson. Francona said that the catcher, who has been out since Spring Training with a left oblique strain, could begin a rehab assignment with Louisville as soon as next week.
Seattle had a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Lux hit a two-out RBI single, and Hays followed with a game-tying RBI single into left field that scored McLain. The Mariners retook a two-run lead in the top of the fifth inning on Dylan Moore's second homer of the game, a two-run drive to left field off Nick Lodolo.
In the bottom of the fifth, Castillo walked his first two batters before Lux drove in McLain with an RBI single. A throwing error from left fielder Randy Arozarena put runners on second and third before Hays lifted a 1-1 fastball to center field for the three-run homer.
¡°Honestly, I didn¡¯t think it was going to go out. I thought I missed under it," Hays said. "I thought it was too high, but [the center fielder] kept going, kept going."
Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Hays became the third Reds player to notch four RBIs in his team debut since it became an official stat in 1920.
¡°We got two good players back," Francona said. "They¡¯re going to help in a lot of ways.¡±