Third Time Not Charming for Hays, Reds

For the third time this season the left leg of Austin Hays has suffered an injury that landed him on the 10-day Injured List.

The key offensive improvement the Reds made during the off-season has been awesome when Hays is healthy but he has already missed 31 of the Reds’ 54 games.

Hays is the Reds’ leading hitter with a .303 average, six doubles, three triples, six home runs and 25 RBI. He is slashing, .303/.346/.555 with an OPS at .901 but his absence led to several shutout losses.

Hays missed 16 games with a left calf strain to start the season. He was on the injured list with a left hamstring strain that cost him eight games. On Wednesday he fouled a ball off his left foot and will be out until at least June 8 with a left foot contusion. Altogether the Reds are 10-14 with Hays out.

The Reds activated Jake Fraley from the injured list to take Hays spot. Fraley missed 17 games with a tender left calf.

The Reds optioned rookie right-hander Luis Mey to Louisville on Thursday and recalled right-handed reliever, Lyon Richardson.