April 29, 2025 8:13 AM : Cincinnati manager Terry Francona spoke to Candelario on Monday about a reduced role due to an early-season slump, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "We tried to explain to him, too, that you can't chase hits. That's a hard way to play," Francona said.
Analysis: This move was a long time coming and forecasted over the last week. Candelario, who is batting .113 with a .411 OPS over 22 games, managed to avoid being benched earlier while the Reds navigated injuries. Now that the roster is in better shape -- Spencer Steer is back playing the field following a bout of shoulder inflammation, Noelvi Marte is ripping it up since his promotion, and Gavin Lux no longer needs to cover left field since Austin Hays was activated off the injured list -- Candelario will have to take advantage opportunities when presented to him to climb back into a rotation at first base, third base or DH.