Austin Hays DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays continued to produce in the team's 5-4 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park on Friday night, going 2-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season and his second stolen base of 2025. Hays' home run in the third inning of the ballgame opened the Reds' lead up to five runs, and it was his first long ball since he came off the injured list last week. The 29-year-old former third-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 out of Jacksonville University has produced for Cincy as their regular left fielder when healthy this year, going 24-for-76 (.316) with six homers, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and two steals. Since returning from the IL on May 9, Hays has gone 5-for-24 (.208) with a homer, double, three RBI, one steal and one run scored while striking out nine times in 25 plate appearances.

The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. In corresponding moves, the Reds optioned outfielders Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise and recalled outfielder Will Benson from Triple-A Louisville. Hays is serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup in Friday's series opener against the Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown in his return. The 29-year-old spent the minimum 10 days on the IL with a minor hamstring strain. Fantasy managers are hoping he can pick up where he left off after going 19-for-52 (.365) with five homers, 13 RBI, 15 runs and a stolen base in his first 13 games. Hays is a mixed-league fantasy asset as an everyday player hitting in the middle of the Reds' batting order. He's hit .333 with a 1.166 OPS, a homer and three RBI in six career at-bats against Brown.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) is doing really well in his rehab from a strained left hamstring and could return from the injured list on Friday. As long as Hays doesn't suffer a setback in the next few days, he could skip a minor-league rehab assignment and rejoin the club for their series opener on Friday in Houston against the Astros. Injuries have been the story of the 29-year-old's season so far in 2025, but when he's been on the field, he's been fantasy worthy in all formats, slashing .365/.431/.712 with five long balls, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored and a stolen base in just 13 games played. When Hays is back, expect him to continue playing regularly for Cincy in left field. Until then, rookie Tyler Callihan and Blake Dunn should continue to split playing time for the Reds in left field.