Hays (back) making progress, but not ready for game action yet

CINCINNATI -- For the past few days while being out with back spasms, Reds left fielder Austin Hays has tested his injury on the field by doing some running and moving around.

Hays still isn't ready to return to the lineup, however. He hasn't played since exiting Saturday's game vs. the Cubs, yet Cincinnati is not ready to place its right-handed bat on the injured list.

“By all accounts coming in today, he felt better," manager Terry Francona said. "Where that leads us, I don’t know. The hard thing for us is if you had to IL him, you lose him [for the postseason]. I think we’re much better off trying to see if we can nurse him through this and have him be available.”

Hays, 30, was heating up down the stretch, batting .301/.323/.505 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in his last 25 games since Aug. 23. Overall, he's batting .266/.316/.454 with 15 homers and 64 RBIs in 102 games. He's also missed significant time with three stints on the IL this season with three different injuries.

The Reds have been mostly using lefty hitter Will Benson in left field, especially against right-handed pitching. If they can get into the playoffs, and Hays is not available, the club might have to consider calling up an outfielder like Rece Hinds or Blake Dunn from Triple-A Louisville. While Louisville's season has concluded, the Reds have some players down there continuing to stay ready just in case they're needed.