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Hector Rodriguez's Power Numbers Put Him in High-End Stash Territory
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez is mashing at Triple-A Louisville this season, and fantasy managers should start to take notice. The 22-year-old outfielder has 19 homers and 53 RBI while hitting .285. Rodriguez, the No. 5 prospect for the Reds, has a shot to make the big league club with current Reds outfielders Dane Myers and Blake Dunn on the 10-day IL. Now would seem to be prime time for Rodriguez to make an impact on the big-league club. He has demonstrated the power numbers at Triple-A while hitting for a good average and appears ready for the majors. Fantasy managers should take notice and add the power-hitting left-handed bat prior to his call-up. He could be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues down the stretch run, making him a worthy stash target in 12+ team, five-outfielder formats.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Hector Rodriguez Not Slowing Down at Triple-A, on the Verge of a Call-Up?
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has continued his dominant play at Triple-A Louisville and is solidifying himself as a top-stash candidate among outfield prospects ahead of Week 15 of the fantasy season. Over his last 22 contests with the Bats, Rodriguez has posted a sharp .329/.396/.732 slash line with four doubles, nine home runs, two stolen bases, and a 23:7 K:BB. Prior to this impressive stretch at the dish, the 22-year-old was still very productive at the plate but was nowhere near as effective, holding a .274/.353/.465 line over his first 60 games in the regular season. Currently, the Reds do not have a clear path for Rodriguez as both JJ Bleday and Noelvi Marte occupy the corner outfield spots. However, Bleday is currently in the midst of a 7-for-53 skid, which could open the door for the team's No. 5-ranked prospect. For now, Rodríguez is a top stash target for those in 12+ team, five-outfielder leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Emilio Pagan Needs to be Rostered After Returning From Injury
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan was recently activated from the Injured List after missing time due to a hamstring strain. Pagan returned at the end of June after being sidelined since early May. The right-hander had a slow start to the season, but figures to reclaim his role as the primary closer. He currently owns a 6.28 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and six saves in nine attempts across 16 appearances this season. Those aren't pretty numbers to look at, but Pagan has shown he's capable of holding down the closer role. He registered 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA across 70 appearances last season. The Reds don't have much competition at the backend of the bullpen, so Pagan figures to reclaim the full-time role. Fantasy managers looking for bullpen help should add Pagan if he's available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Nick Lodolo Worth a Waiver Addition for Strikeout Upside?
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo has been pretty erratic for fantasy managers so far in 2026, going 2-2 with a 5.05 ERA (5.30 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 42 strikeouts and 22 walks in 51 2/3 innings across 10 starts while also continuing to deal with injuries. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Christian University has always intrigued fantasy managers because of his strikeout upside as a southpaw, but so far in 2026, he's sporting a career-low 18.2% strikeout rate and a career-high 9.5% walk rate. It wasn't pretty through his first eight starts for the Reds, as he allowed 29 earned runs on 51 hits (6.12 ERA) while walking 17 and striking out 32 in 42 2/3 innings pitched. But in his last two starts, Lodolo has thrown nine shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and five walks in two outings against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. The 28-year-old lefty is by no means a slam dunk waiver-wire pickup, but he could have a third straight strong start in his upcoming matchup against a Baltimore Orioles team that has the fourth-most strikeouts in baseball this year. Lodolo is rostered in 66% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Matt McLain Making First Career Start in Center Field
Cincinnati Reds middle infielder Matt McLain is making his first career start in center field and will bat eighth in Wednesday's contest on the road against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan, per MLB.com. The Reds need a right-handed-hitting center fielder, with both Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) currently on the injured list. The 26-year-old former 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft out of UCLA has lost out on playing time at second base to rookie Edwin Arroyo while coming into Wednesday's game with a .198 average (51-for-257) with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 31 runs scored, and a 25.9% strikeout rate. McLain's strikeout rate is actually a career low, and he also has a career-best 11.8% walk rate, so positive regression should be coming his way in the second half. However, an everyday role in Cincy's lineup the rest of the way isn't guaranteed, which is why he's rostered in only 33% of Yahoo leagues now. He's been ice-cold at the plate in his last 11 games, going 3-for-27 (.111) with a double, two runs scored, a steal, four walks, and 14 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt McLain to See Playing Time in Center Field?
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that middle infielder Matt McLain worked out in center field on Tuesday, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. The Reds have a need in center field with both Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) going on the injured list recently, and McLain could give them a right-handed bat at the position to close out the first half of the season. The 26-year-old former 17th overall pick in 2021 out of UCLA is batting just .199/.303/.344 with a .646 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 256 at-bats in his third year in the big leagues, leading to rookie Edwin Arroyo taking over the majority of the playing time at the keystone in 2026. McLain moving to center field would open up another avenue for him to get into Cincy's lineup, but it remains to be seen if he'll see enough starts there to gain outfield eligibility in fantasy leagues. TJ Friedly is starting in center and batting ninth for the Reds on Tuesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Sproat.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Hunter Greene to Make 2026 Debut With Reds on Saturday
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) will come off the 60-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Saturday versus the Baltimore Orioles, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. The hard-throwing former second overall pick threw 82 pitches in 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his final minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A Louisville, and he didn't allow a single run in 14 1/3 minor-league innings while striking out 13 and walking two during his three rehab starts. Greene has been on the IL since having surgery on March 11 to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, but he's finally ready to rejoin the Reds' starting rotation. Since he shouldn't be facing any restrictions with his workload on the Fourth of July, fantasy managers should be looking to throw him right into the fire against the O's, a team that ranks third in strikeouts in 2026. Green is rostered in 73% of Yahoo leagues and is an absolute must-add anywhere he's still available. He has the potential to be a fantasy ace in the second half of the season.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Eugenio Suarez Back in Reds Lineup on Tuesday
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (wrist) is starting at third base and will bat cleanup for the Reds in Tuesday's contest against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Sproat at American Family Field, per MLB.com. Suarez was hit by a pitch on his left wrist on Sunday and was held out of Monday's series opener against Milwaukee as a precaution. The 34-year-old Venezuelan corner infielder will now return to Cincy's starting nine as he looks to snap out of his funk at the plate. He's hitting just .185 (15-for-81) with four home runs, four doubles, 14 RBI, five runs scored, four walks, and 32 strikeouts in 22 games in June. The two-time All-Star hasn't really been good all year in his return to the Reds in 2026, slashing .208/.276/.376 on the season with a career-worst .652 OPS, eight home runs, 29 RBI, 18 runs scored, and a career-worst 33.2% strikeout rate. Suarez is rostered in 70% of Yahoo leagues, but his .195 xBA and .261 xwOBA don't exactly give fantasy managers hope that the veteran slugger will turn things around in his 13th year in the league.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hector Rodriguez Holding Steady at Triple-A, Nearing MLB Debut?
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez capped off his week by reaching base three times on Sunday, going 2-for-3 with a walk. The effort pushed his season-long slash line to .288/.367/.536 with 18 home runs and six steals. The Reds' fifth-ranked prospect also owns solid walk (10.6 percent) and strikeout rates (18.9 percent), and is making the case for a second-half call-up. Though there is some chase in his profile (15th percentile), the left-handed hitter doesn't have a problem making decent contact with a 68th percentile whiff rate, while hard-hit rate, barrel rate, xBA, and xwOBA are all 71st percentile or better, not to mention a 93rd percentile max exit velocity. Fantasy managers in deep 12+ team leagues looking for potential home run and RBI production should consider stashing the 22-year-old in an NA spot ahead of his eventual call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Hunter Greene Expects to Make Season Debut on Friday or Saturday
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) said he expects to come off the 60-day injured list to rejoin the team's starting rotation on either Friday or Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles to make his 2026 season debut, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. The 26-year-old is finally ready to rejoin the Reds' starting rotation after having surgery on March 11 to remove bone chips from his right elbow. In his three minor-league rehab starts, Greene looked great, tossing 14 1/3 shutout innings with three hits allowed, two walks, and 13 strikeouts. He got up to 82 pitches in his final rehab appearance on Sunday at Triple-A Louisville, so he should not be limited at all pitch-count-wise this weekend against the O's. Greene will most likely return on the Fourth of July, and fantasy managers who have been holding him all year will be hoping he can provide fireworks immediately. Greene needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats for his high-strikeout, ace upside at the top of Cincy's rotation. He's currently rostered in 73% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
Emilio Pagan to be Activated on Tuesday, Returning to Closer's Role?
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) will be activated from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Francona also said it "makes sense" to put Pagan in the ninth-inning closer's role. The 35-year-old veteran reliever will rejoin Cincy's bullpen for the first time since being put on the IL in early May due to a Grade 2 strained left hamstring. Pagan wasn't exactly pitching well in the closer's role earlier this year for the Reds before his hamstring injury, as he had a 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 11 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched, but he also had six saves in his 15 appearances, and he is the most experienced closer in Cincy's bad bullpen with 71 career saves. It makes even more sense for Pagan to immediately return as the Reds' closer with both Tony Santillan (oblique) and Graham Ashcraft (elbow) out with injuries. Pagan is only rostered in 65% of Yahoo leagues. This is your reminder to go and pick Pagan up if you need saves.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Eugenio Suarez Out With Wrist Injury on Monday
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (wrist) is out of the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers due to a wrist injury, according to MLB.com. Sal Stewart will man the hot corner and bat second, with Spencer Steer starting at first and batting third versus Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser. Suarez was pulled from Sunday's loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates early when he was hit by a pitch on his left wrist in the sixth inning. Thankfully, X-rays and a CT scan on the 34-year-old veteran's wrist came back clean, which has the Reds optimistic that he'll be back during the series this week against the Brewers. The 34-year-old Venezuelan has struggled in his return to the Reds in 2026, hitting just .208/.276/.376 with a career-low .652 OPS, eight home runs, 29 RBI, 18 runs scored, and a career-high 33.2% strikeout rate in 217 plate appearances. He has really struggled in 22 games in June, going 15-for-81 (.185) with four homers, four doubles, 14 RBI, five runs, four walks, and 32 strikeouts. The strikeouts continue to pile up, making fantasy managers wonder if Suarez is even worth the power at this point in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Elly De La Cruz in the Lineup After Injury Scare
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (ankle) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting leadoff on Monday for the series opener against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Robert Gasser, according to MLB.com. De La Cruz twisted his ankle in Sunday's loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, but he stayed in the game after having his ankle taped. With the star shortstop serving as the DH, Matt McLain will start at the 6 and bat eighth, with Edwin Arroyo playing second base and hitting in the nine-hole. De La Cruz might not be exactly 100% healthy, but the 24-year-old Dominican should be in all starting lineups in traditional leagues as a five-category contributor. The two-time All-Star is hitting .268/.339/.480 with a career-high .819 OPS, 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 42 runs scored across 63 games and 280 plate appearances. De La Cruz has gone 21-for-71 (.296) at the plate against southpaws this year, adding five of his 12 home runs against them in 78 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Emilio Pagan Impresses in Rehab Outing, Joining Reds Next?
Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) looks to be on the verge of returning from the 15-day injured list after working a scoreless inning with one hit allowed while throwing eight strikes on his nine pitches with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. It was Pagan's second rehab appearance for Louisville after he tossed six pitches in a perfect inning on Friday. The 35-year-old veteran has been sidelined since suffering a left-hamstring strain while pitching against the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 5. He could rejoin the Reds' bullpen for their next series this week against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers, and given the way Cincy's bullpen has struggled with Pagan out, fantasy managers should not be surprised if manager Terry Francona reinserts Pagan as the primary ninth-inning arm right away, especially with both Tony Santillan (oblique) and Graham Ashcraft (elbow) also on the IL. Before injuring his hamstring, Pagan, who has 71 career saves, had a rough 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, but with six saves in his 15 appearances. Fantasy managers desperate for saves should be looking to add Pagan, who is rostered in only 65% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Hunter Greene Looks Ready for 2026 Debut With Reds
In what is expected to be his final minor-league rehab start, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) looked great on Sunday with Triple-A Louisville, tossing 6 1/3 shutout innings with one hit allowed, no walks, and four strikeouts to pick up the win against Triple-A St. Paul. Greene threw 54 of his 82 pitches for strikeouts and retired his final 16 batters in a row after allowing a double to open the top of the second inning. In his three rehab starts -- two with Louisville and one in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League -- the hard-throwing right-hander threw 14 1/3 scoreless innings. Manager Terry Francona and Greene both expected Sunday to be his final rehab game before coming off the 60-day injured list to rejoin Cincy's starting rotation for the first time in 2026. The 26-year-old former second overall pick had arthroscopic surgery on March 11 to remove bone chips in his right elbow, which dated back to last October. Greene will most likely debut this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles, and he should be scooped up immediately if he remains available on any waiver wires for his ace upside in fantasy. Right now, he's rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues. UPDATE: Greene told reporters on Monday that he'll make his season debut later this week with the Reds.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
