The Cincinnati Reds have been dealing with a series of injuries, notably placing Jake Fraley on the 10-day injured list due to left calf tenderness, retroactive to May 7. In response, they called up Connor Joe, acquired via trade with the San Diego Padres. Joe, who previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and had a brief stint with the Giants, recorded a .247 batting average in 2023 with 11 home runs. Meanwhile, Tyler Callihan was also transferred to the 60-day injured list, adding to the Reds' roster challenges.

Fraley, with a .205 batting average, struggled recently, going 4-for-29 in his last appearances. The Reds currently have four left-handed bats among their position players, which include promising talent Elly De La Cruz, noted for his switch-hitting capability. As the Reds navigate through these injury hurdles, the performance and adaptability of players like Joe and De La Cruz will be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge in the league.