On June 29, the Cincinnati Reds officially released infielder Jeimer Candelario after he cleared waivers, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. This decision follows the club’s earlier move on June 23 to reinstate Candelario from the 10-day injured list but designate him for assignment, effectively removing him from their 40-man roster as they opted not to return him to active play.
From High Expectations to Disappointing Results
Jeimer Candelario was signed to a lucrative three-year, $45 million contract before last season, a deal that has since been widely regarded as unsuccessful. Despite hitting 20 home runs in 2024, Candelario struggled with a low batting average and on-base percentage, posting a disappointing .225/.279/.429 slash line that resulted in a weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) of 87. His defensive performance also received poor evaluations. The 2025 season has been considerably worse for Candelario, with injuries limiting him to only 22 games and producing an abysmal .113/.198/.213 line, and FanGraphs rates his contribution as one win below replacement level since joining the Reds.
Recent Performance and Future with the Reds
The recent move to designate him for assignment likely signals the end of Candelario’s tenure with Cincinnati. Although the Reds have five days to explore trade possibilities, his underwhelming production this year and limited availability have diminished interest among potential buyers. Even during a rehab stint in Triple-A, Candelario’s hitting remained weak, with a .211/.318/.333 line over 15 games, equating to a wRC+ of 80. He is owed $15 million this year, with $12 million still due in 2026 and a $3 million buyout on a 2027 club option.
Contract Details and Potential Free Agency
Candelario possesses sufficient service time to reject an outright minor-league assignment and instead elect free agency while retaining his remaining salary. The Reds may bypass this process by choosing to release him immediately. Once a free agent, any interested team would only be required to pay the prorated league minimum salary, with Cincinnati continuing to cover the bulk of his contract.
Past Successes and Challenges Affecting Value
Before signing with the Reds, Candelario demonstrated solid offensive skills, justifying the team’s initial investment. While with the Detroit Tigers during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, he hit a combined .278/.356/.458 with a wRC+ of 124. However, his production dropped significantly in 2022, hitting .217/.272/.361 with a wRC+ of 80, leading to his non-tender by Detroit. He rebounded somewhat in 2023 after signing with the Washington Nationals and then being traded to the Chicago Cubs, finishing that year with a .251/.336/.471 slash line and a 118 wRC+.
Injury History Contributing to Decline
The uncertainty surrounding Candelario’s ability to return to previous standards largely stems from his health issues. On June 21 of last year, it was reported that he was dealing with knee tendinitis, a time when his performance was still aligned with past successes, batting .255/.310/.506 with a 118 wRC+. However, following that diagnosis, his performance sharply declined to a .182/.233/.318 line the rest of the year, concluding the season on the injured list due to a fractured toe. So far in 2025, injuries have continued to hamper him, including a lumbar spine strain after just 22 games. His recent rehab stint has shown little sign of offensive resurgence, possibly due to rust from the layoffs.
Reds’ Decision to Move Forward Without Candelario
The Reds’ management appears to have lost patience waiting for a recovery. Candelario was nearing the end of his 20-day rehab period, and rather than reinstate him to the roster and hope for a turnaround, the team chose to cut ties. Cincinnati’s corner infield playing time is now divided among Gavin Lux, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Santiago Espinal. While Lux provides roughly league-average production, the other three players have struggled, none posting a wRC+ above 72 so far this season.
Despite some of these players’ underperformance—such as Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s .202/.229/.384 line for a 58 wRC+—the Reds have elected not to reinstate Candelario in favor of sticking with their current roster, accepting the financial ramifications. The club will absorb close to $23 million remaining on Candelario’s contract.
Opportunities for Other Teams and Upcoming Trade Deadline
Though Cincinnati has released Candelario, other teams may be willing to take a low-risk chance on the infielder, hoping for a return to form. Several clubs facing corner infield deficiencies lack viable alternatives ahead of the trade deadline, which remains over a month away. These teams could sign Candelario to a minor-league deal or a league-minimum contract, evaluate his performance over a short period, and still have flexibility to pursue other players at the deadline if he fails to rebound.
“June 29: Candelario has officially cleared waivers and been released by the Reds, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.”
—Gordon Wittenmyer, Journalist
“June 23: The Reds announced that infielder Jeimer Candelario has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list and designated for assignment.”
—Cincinnati Reds, Team Announcement
“Candelario has more than enough service time to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency while keeping all that money coming to him.”
—Anonymous Source
Looking Ahead: What the Release Means for Candelario and the Reds
The release of Jeimer Candelario marks an end to a costly experiment for the Reds, who invested heavily in the infielder hoping he would provide solid production and stability. Instead, injuries and underperformance have led the team to prioritize roster flexibility and development of younger players. For Candelario, free agency presents an uncertain future, with his next opportunity likely hinging on a team’s willingness to gamble on his health and potential to return to former levels of play. As the trade deadline approaches, his situation will be closely watched by clubs looking for inexpensive depth.