Jeimer Candelario DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Reds infielder Jeimer Candelario (back) said there's no current timetable for his return from a lumbar spine strain in his back. "We're waiting on it to get better," Candelario said. "Sometimes, you want to force things and do things. But this is a part of the game. You want to be able to help the team win, but you've got to do it the right way." The Reds put Candelario on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, and it appears that the 31-year-old switch-hitter could be out for a while. His back issues could also help explain why he has hit just .113/.198/.213 with two home runs, two doubles and 10 RBI in 22 games played. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) is also on the IL, which has created regular opportunities for Noelvi Marte, who has taken advantage. Marte came into Thursday's game hitting .315 with three homers, 16 RBI and four stolen bases in 54 at-bats.

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Wednesday that they placed infielder Jeimer Candelario (spine) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 28) with a lumbar spine strain and recalled infielder Tyler Callihan from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. This could help explain why the 31-year-old veteran switch-hitter was off to such a bad start in 2025 with a .113/.198/.213 slash line and only two home runs in his first 80 at-bats of the season. Before the injury, Candelario was seeing more time on the bench due to his offensive struggles early on. Hopefully for Candelario's fantasy managers, he'll be more productive when he returns from the IL and returns to a regular role for the Reds. For the time being, though, Spencer Steer will see most of the work at first base, with the hot-hitting Noelvi Marte manning the hot corner with Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) also out.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that infielder Jeimer Candelario (back) spoke up on Tuesday about a lower-back injury that he's been dealing with. The Reds are looking at Candelario, who is out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's divisional tilt against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Spencer Steer is at first base and batting sixth, while Noelvi Marte is at the hot corner and hitting fifth against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Candelario has found himself on the bench more of late due to his slow start at the plate, and his back injury could be the primary culprit. The 31-year-old switch-hitter is batting just .113/.198/.213 with two homers and 10 RBI in the first month of the season. Don't rule out an injured-list stint if his back doesn't improve. Marte will benefit from a playing-time standpoint for however long Candelario is out.