Jeimer Candelario Designated for Assignment by Reds in 2nd Year of $45M Contract

The Cincinnati Reds designated infielder Jeimer Candelario for assignment after activating him from the 10-day injured list, the team announced Monday.

Candelario previously signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Reds as a free agent in December 2023.

The veteran is still owed roughly $24 million for the rest of his deal, via 700 WLW's Lance McAlister.

Candelario only appeared in 22 games this season due to a lumbar strain, but struggled at the plate as well as both corner infield spots. He recorded two home runs and 10 RBIs while posting a .113/.198/.213 slash line, striking out 29 times in 80 at-bats.

After racking up 22 homers and 39 doubles to go along with an OPS of .807 in the year prior to joining Cincinnati, Candelario wasn't able to operate at a similar level with the Reds.

He ended his first year on the team with 20 home runs, 23 doubles and 56 RBIs while compiling a .707 OPS.

Cincinnati's choice to part ways with Candelario is similar to the team's decision to designate former third baseman Mike Moustakas for assignment in 2022. Moustakas had one season left on a four-year, $64 million contract at the time.

The Reds sit at 40-38 to open the 2025 season, their first under new manager Terry Francona. Cincinnati owns the No. 4 spot in the National League Central standings, sitting three games back from the final wild card spot.