Reds designate Aquino for assignment
"The Punisher's" run has come to an end in the Queen City.
The Cincinnati Reds designated outfielder Aristides Aquino for assignment, the team announced Saturday.
The Reds have seven days to trade Aquino or place him on waivers.
"Tough day, really, for our whole clubhouse," Reds manager David Bell said, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. "We still believe in him as a player. He’s going to get another opportunity, I believe, in the major leagues somewhere."
The 28-year-old will be best remembered for his incredible rookie campaign in 2019. Aquino tied Cincinnati's franchise record for homers in a single month when he belted 14 long balls in August 2019. He finished the season with 19 homers in just 56 games and appeared poised to emerge as a constant in the Reds' lineup.
However, things didn't go according to script as Aquino struggled mightily over the past three seasons. Since 2020, the slugger has slashed a paltry .164/.271/.347 with 13 home runs and 33 RBIs across 122 contests.
Aquino was off to a frigid start this season, registering just a pair of hits in 41 at-bats with one homer and a 53.5% strikeout rate.