Jeimer Candelario's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Jeimer Candelario (elbow), who hyperextended his elbow in his final at-bat on Wednesday, is back in the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting New York Mets and left-hander Jose Quintana. Candelario is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup, while Santiago Espinal is at the hot corner and is hitting seventh in the batting order. The 30-year-old switch-hitting Candelario has gone just 4-for-24 (.167) with a home run and two RBI in his first six games in 2024 with the Reds, but fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups now that he's active. In seven career at-bats against Quintana, he's hitting .429 with a 1.000 OPS.

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario (elbow) is feeling better after leaving Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies due to soreness in his right elbow. "I should be good. It's already better," said Candelario, who will be re-evaluated before Friday's game versus the visiting New York Mets. Before exiting on Wednesday, he hit a two-out double in the eighth inning and may not have to miss any time moving ahead. After netting a three-year deal with the Reds this past offseason, the 30-year-old infielder is slashing just .167/.200/.375 with one home run and two RBI through 25 plate appearances so far this year. Even so, Candelario is difficult to consider dropping in shallow fantasy leagues while he's regularly batting cleanup at a hitter-friendly ballpark and locked into an everyday role at the hot corner with Noelvi Marte (suspension) unavailable until midseason.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell told reporters after Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies that corner infielder Jeimer Candelario (elbow) hyperextended his right elbow late in the game and that the trainers don't believe it's very serious. Bell said the team will "re-evaluate on Friday." Candelario injured his elbow on the swing right before hitting a double in the top of the eighth inning, and he was removed from the game in the bottom of the inning. The double was the 30-year-old's only hit in four at-bats, and he also struck out in the victory. Cincinnati has a day off on Thursday before returning home on Friday to face the New York Mets, so he may not have to miss any time. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if Candelario is in the lineup. He's struggling early in his first season with the Reds, hitting just .167 with a homer, two RBI and nine strikeouts.

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Jeimer Candelario was signed this offseason to be a steady presence in a very young lineup, despite an already crowded infield picture in Cincinnati. He has played in 746 major-league games, and no other Reds position player has appeared in more than 380 games. "Adding a guy like Jeimer takes some of that pressure off. Between DH, first base and third base, he's going to be an everyday player. There's plenty of playing time to go around there," manager David Bell said. The 30-year-old signed a three-year, $45 million deal in December to give the Reds even more offensive depth and defensive versatility. Candelario hit a career-high 22 home runs with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs last year and is now moving to an even more friendly hitter's park. There's plenty to like about him as a cheap source of power with positional eligibility at both third and first base.