Jeimer Candelario DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer will cede starting first base duties to corner infielder Jeimer Candelario on Tuesday. Steer had started the last two games at first for the Reds while Candelario was on the bench. Neither player has been very productive thus far, with Steer registering a .195 wOBA and 14 wRC+ over 70 plate appearances (PA), while Candelario has a .221 wOBA and 31 wRC+ over 70 PA. The switch-hitting Candelario will go up against the Marlins' RHP Edward Cabrera on Tuesday in Miami, with the 31-year-old going 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and no strikeouts in his career versus the righty. Despite his struggles this season, that type of matchup history could make Candelario a viable DFS play for this contest.

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Jeimer Candelario is out of the starting lineup again for Monday's series opener against the Miami Marlins. Noelvi Marte is making the start at third base and is batting eighth against Marlins right-hander Max Meyer after his big performance on Sunday, while Spencer Steer is starting at first base and batting sixth. With Steer back in the fold on defense after dealing with a shoulder injury early in the season, the 31-year-old Candelario could be in danger of losing more playing time moving forward after a slow start to the season. In his first 19 games in 2025, he's gone 9-for-69 (.130) with two home runs, two doubles, eight RBI, nine walks and 25 strikeouts in 79 plate appearances. Marte has a hit in two career at-bats against Meyer, while Steer is hitless in his two at-bats. The good news is that Candelario has hits in each of his last two games, including a home run.

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Jeimer Candelario (tooth) is back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup. Candelario will return to the diamond to close out the week after having a wisdom tooth removed earlier in the week. It was never anything that was going to keep the 31-year-old veteran out for too long. Candelario will serve as the DH against the Halos, but he should see most of his playing time in 2025 between third and first base for the Reds. The switch-hitting infielder battled injuries in his first year in Cincinnati in 2024, including a fractured big left toe in August that ended his season early. He disappointed by hitting .225/.279/.429, but he did hit 20 home runs in 112 games played. At a discounted price, Candelario isn't a bad late-round corner infield target for his power.

Cincinnati Reds infielder Jeimer Candelario (tooth) has been out early this week at camp because of a painful wisdom tooth. Candelario missed early work on Monday for an appointment with a dentist and is returning on Tuesday to have the tooth pulled. Barring a complication with his mouth, the 31-year-old veteran should be back in Cincy's Cactus League lineup sooner than later. Candelario should mostly play first base for the Reds in 2025, but he'll also see at-bats as the third baseman and designated hitter. He was a disappointment last year after signing a three-year, $42 million contract with the Reds, as he hit .225/.279/.429 with 20 home runs, 56 RBI, four steals and 47 runs in only 112 games played while dealing with multiple injuries, including a fractured big toe in August. Candelario could bounce back with better health in 2025 in his second year with the Reds, making him a potential value pick late in drafts for corner-infield depth.

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario (toe) is unlikely to return this season, according to MLB.com. Manager David Bell stated, "It's looking more and more like he's not going to be back this year either. He's still having quite a bit of pain." The 30-year-old has been sidelined since mid-August after being hit by a pitch. Before the injury, the veteran posted a .225/.279/.429 line with 20 home runs and four stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect Ty France to cover first base and Noelvi Marte and Santiago Espinal to cover the hot corner for the remainder of the summer. This afternoon, Espinal covered third base while Marte served as the designated hitter.