By Drew Koch | May 26, 2025
Jake Fraley is back on the Cincinnati Reds’ active roster, and with his return now official, the front office has begun making the tough calls they’ve been dreading. Fraley was activated following a brief rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, and while his reinstatement was expected, it marks the beginning of a complex and unforgiving roster puzzle for the Reds.
The first domino to fall was outfielder Connor Joe, who was optioned to the minors to make space for Fraley. But with more players set to come off the injured list soon, this was just the tip of the iceberg for President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall.
Though Fraley has had a quiet season at the plate, the Reds clearly believe he still has value when healthy. However, Will Benson’s red-hot performance since his own return may limit Fraley’s role in the outfield going forward.
The Reds’ roster crunch intensifies with infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand also nearing a return. He’s begun a rehab assignment, and while the timeline for his activation is still fluid, a decision will be necessary soon. Encarnacion-Strand was hitting just .158 with a .481 OPS before his injury, and with minor-league options available, the Reds may opt to keep him in Triple-A for the time being—especially with Spencer Steer anchoring first base.
Veteran utilityman Garrett Hampson remains a roster question mark. While he’s contributed little, his major-league contract and lack of minor-league options give him a bit more job security than his production might merit. Releasing him outright would mean risking him on waivers.
Meanwhile, the Reds’ decision to carry three catchers continues to draw scrutiny. Austin Wynns hasn’t started behind the plate since May 6 and has shown defensive vulnerabilities, but due to the organization’s limited catching depth, parting ways with him could backfire if an injury arises.
Third baseman Noelvi Marte is another name to watch. He’s reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehab and is slated for an MRI this week. If he’s cleared, another roster shake-up is inevitable. Jeimer Candelario is also on track for a return next month, adding yet another layer of complication.
With Fraley back in uniform, the Reds’ roster management woes are only beginning. The next few weeks will test Krall’s ability to balance performance, potential, and contract realities. And once the dust settles, it will fall on manager Terry Francona to juggle playing time among a deep and hungry group of players.
In Cincinnati, the challenge isn’t just finding the best lineup—it’s finding enough room for it.
