CINCINNATI -- The Reds have been waiting for corner infielder Jeimer Candelario to get hot and show some consistent production. That hasn't happened, and Candelario is going to the bench while manager Terry Francona gives regular playing time to Noelvi Marte at third base and Spencer Steer at first base.
¡°We actually talked to him today," Francona said on Monday ahead of the series opener vs. the Cardinals. "I wanted him to understand. He¡¯s a veteran player that¡¯s had some really good years. And right now, it¡¯s hard because there¡¯s guys ahead of him. I wanted to kind of see how he was doing, and talk to him and let him know I certainly understand and care but that I don¡¯t always have the answer you¡¯re looking for. He was good.¡±
It's no tiny thing for a smaller-market team to sit a player like Candelario, who was signed to a three-year, $45 million contract as Cincinnati's top free-agent acquisition ahead of the 2024 season.
In 22 games entering Monday, Candelario was batting .113 with a .411 OPS and two home runs. But after he went 3-for-6 in his first two games, the switch-hitter is 6-for-74 (.081) with 27 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, much of the Reds' lineup has stepped it up. Marte has been one of its hottest hitters since his second recall from Triple-A Louisville on April 12 and has earned his way into the lineup. After struggling while limited to a designated hitter role, Steer has produced more since moving to first base last week.
¡°I guess the guys are doing great right now, doing good stuff," Candelario told MLB.com. "Whatever Tito is doing, he¡¯s a leader. He¡¯s a manager. He knows what he¡¯s doing, and whatever he¡¯s going to do, he¡¯s going to do it for the team, for sure.¡±
Candelario, 31, often struggled during the first year of his contract in 2024 -- especially early in the season. Overall, in 112 games, he batted .225 with a .708 OPS, 20 homers and 56 RBIs before missing the last six weeks on the injured list with a fractured left big toe.
¡°When you¡¯re not having much results ¡ it¡¯s tough. It¡¯s tough sometimes not playing," Candelario said. "At the same, you¡¯re not taking anything for granted and working really hard to be consistent again and help the team win. That¡¯s what I came here for.¡±
Candelario already sat in four of the nine games on the just-concluded road trip. Francona put him in Sunday's lineup at Colorado because he had a decent track record against pitcher Ryan Feltner. But the Rockies made a late decision to start Bradley Blalock instead.
In the 8-1 Reds win, Candelario went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
¡°I just didn¡¯t want to tell him he was playing and then tell him he was not playing," Francona said Sunday.
As the Reds opened a seven-game homestand on Monday vs. the Cardinals, Candelario must make the most of the opportunities he's given. His evaluation won't be strictly results-based, however.
¡°We tried to explain to him, too, that you can¡¯t chase hits. That¡¯s a hard way to play," Francona said. "He talked about trying to find rhythm, and I tried to explain to him that in [Miami], he didn¡¯t have hits one night, but he swung the bat really well and we thought we¡¯d play him the next day. So it¡¯s not just about getting hits. We want to kind of reassure him that it's more approach, like quality of your at-bats.¡±
Francona and the Reds are taking a different approach with second baseman Matt McLain, who carried a career-long 0-for-18 slump into the day. McLain, who was also 5-for-42 with 16 strikeouts in 11 games since returning from the injured list on April 15, was given the day off on Sunday.
Back in Monday's lineup batting second, McLain is viewed as a valuable defensive contributor for the infield even when he isn't hitting well.
¡°I think some days, just let him catch up a little bit. He had a couple of tough days," Francona said. "I thought it would do him some good.¡±
McLain didn't feel like he was pressing at the plate.
"It¡¯s more frustrating," McLain said. "But like I¡¯ve said before, there¡¯s ups and downs. You just got to keep grinding and find a way. I¡¯ve got to be better. Simple as that.
"You just have to keep working, put your head down and go to work for the team, not just for yourself. I want to be a contributor. I want to score runs. I want to drive runs in. I¡¯m not doing that right now, so I¡¯ve got to make some adjustments.¡±