Reds DFA Candelario halfway through $45M contract

The Cincinnati Reds designated corner infielder Jeimer Candelario for assignment Monday after activating him from the injured list.

Candelario is in the second season of a three-year, $45-million deal with the Reds. He's earning $15 million this season and is owed another $22.5 million in guaranteed money, including a $3-million buyout of his 2027 club option, over the remainder of his contract.

Cincinnati now has seven days to either trade, waive, or release Candelario.

President of baseball operations Nick Krall called the move a "statement of intent" about the organization's desire to field a winner, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"It's a tough decision. He's a great guy," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "We've played well. It is something we looked at as we're trying to win games, and this gives us the best opportunity to win, to not bring him back."

The 31-year-old joined the Reds in free agency on the heels of a career-best 2023 season, but he never came close to reaching the expectations of his contract. Candelario hit .207/.265/.394 with 22 homers and 66 RBIs over just 134 games with the Reds over the last two campaigns. His 74 wRC+ since the start of 2024 tied for the 10th-worst among hitters with at least 550 plate appearances.

Candelario put up a .410 OPS in 22 contests to start this season before landing on the IL with a lumbar spine strain. The 10-year veteran's struggles continued during a recent minor-league rehab assignment, in which he posted a .652 OPS with just one homer in 66 plate appearances with Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds are thoroughly covered at both of his defensive positions, with Spencer Steer primarily manning first base and Christian Encarnacion-Strand bouncing between first and third. Santiago Espinal will also continue to see time at the hot corner.

Cutting Candelario also opens a 40-man roster spot for pitcher Chase Burns, the Reds' No. 1 prospect, who is scheduled to make his MLB debut Tuesday against the New York Yankees. Burns was added to Cincinnati's taxi squad Monday and will likely be officially selected to the roster ahead of Tuesday's game.

Cincinnati enters play Monday fourth in the NL Central with a 40-38 record.