Austin Hays DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Cincinnati Reds have placed outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 29. The Reds activated backstop Tyler Stephenson (oblique) from the injured list in a corresponding move. Hays has already had a stint on the injured list due to a calf strain and will now face his second absence of the young campaign. Despite his early-season injuries, Hays has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, posting a stellar .365/.431/.712 slash line with three doubles and five home runs. He has tallied 13 RBI, scored 15 runs, and held a 13:6 K:BB. Under the hood, the 29-year-old has generated a .472 xwOBA, which suggests he should continue to enjoy similar production when he returns to the lineup. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Tyler Callihan and Blake Dunn to see more opportunities in the starting nine.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) remains sidelined for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Santiago Espinal is starting in left field and will hit fifth against Cardinal left-hander Matthew Liberatore. Hays injured his left hamstring while running the bases on Monday and will now miss his third straight game as a result. The Reds remain hopeful that the 29-year-old can avoid a trip to the injured list, but that stance could change if he's unable to return during a three-game weekend series against the visiting Washington Nationals. Fantasy managers want Hays back in the lineup as soon as possible, as he's gone 19-for-52 (.365) early on with five homers, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored for the Reds. Espinal is also hitting over .300 in 64 at-bats in 2025 but has yet to homer. He's hitless in just three career at-bats against Liberatore.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. It's the third straight game that Hays has been sidelined due to a minor hamstring strain that hopefully won't require a stint on the injured list. If Hays doesn't play in Thursday's series finale against St. Louis, his next chance to play will come in Friday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. If the 29-year-old cannot play by the end of the weekend, an IL stint would probably be likely at that point. Gavin Lux is starting in left field and batting seventh for Game 2 on Wednesday against Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz. As a left-handed hitter that has never faced Matz in his career, DFS gamers should be looking to avoid Lux, who went hitless in Game 1.