Suárez returns to Reds' lineup as Hayes (back) lands on IL

CINCINNATI – When the Reds resume playing on Saturday after Friday's series opener vs. the Cardinals was postponed by rain, they will have one of their big lineup weapons back.

Slugger Eugenio Suárez was activated from the 10-day injured list while third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes went on the 10-day IL with a bulging disc in his back. Suárez, 34, was put on the IL April 25 (retroactive to April 23) after he strained his left oblique taking a batting-practice swing.

Signed Feb. 3 to a one-year, $15 million contract to bolster the middle of the lineup, Suárez is batting .231 with a .663 OPS, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 25 games this season.

Manager Terry Francona expects Suárez to play two of the three games vs. St. Louis this weekend, but the club is going to be cautious with him.

“Even his energy, his positive energy and hopefully getting back healthy and we’re going to have to pick our spots a little early. We don’t want to run him into the ground," Francona said.

Without Hayes, Suárez and Sal Stewart are expected to share time at third base.

"Depending on who’s pitching and matchups, we’ll try to strike a balance," Francona said.

Hayes, a two-time National League Gold Glove winner who was acquired from the Pirates at the Trade Deadline last summer, has struggled mightily offensively all year. The 29-year-old is batting .142 with a .420 OPS, two homers and five RBIs. Back injuries have plagued him throughout his career and put him on the IL each season from 2022-24.

"The spasming has gotten to the point where it's kind of gotten in the way, so hopefully get that settled down and get him going again," Francona said. "Letting him take a deep breath so we can get the real Hayes.”

The plan is for Hayes to rehab at the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz. Once his back heals, he could start working on improving his hitting.

“We want to get this going in the right direction so we can ask him to work and he doesn’t have to worry about getting hurt and setting himself back," Francona said.

In other news, the Reds adjusted their rotation because of the postponement. Friday's scheduled starter, Chris Paddack, will start Saturday's 1:10 p.m. afternoon game against the Cardinals' Andre Pallante. No. 7 prospect Chase Petty will be called up as the 27th man to start Game 2 at 7:15 p.m. ET against Kyle Leahy.

“We don’t have a day off until Thursday, so if we didn’t do that and brought up a reliever, we would need a starter on Wednesday in New York," Francona said of Petty.

Saturday's originally-scheduled Reds starter, Brady Singer, will pitch on Sunday afternoon.