The Cincinnati Reds officially released Another infielder today, following his designation for assignment on June 23 after being activated from the 10-day injured list. After clearing waivers, Candelario has now been released and is no longer part of the organization.
Candelario signed a three-year contract with the Reds ahead of the 2024 season, which included a club option for a fourth year. In that first year, he provided solid power numbers — hitting 20 home runs, 23 doubles, and two triples across 112 games — but struggled with consistency at the plate, posting just a .225 batting average and a .279 on-base percentage.
Both Candelario and the Reds had hoped for a bounce-back performance in 2025, but the season went in the opposite direction. He hit just .113/.198/.213 with 29 strikeouts in April before going on the injured list due to a lumbar spine strain. After more than a month away, he began a rehab stint with the Arizona Complex League Reds and then Triple-A Louisville, but he continued to struggle, managing a .651 OPS and 19 strikeouts in 15 games before his rehab time expired.
Faced with a tough decision, the Reds opted to part ways with Candelario — despite still being on the hook for \$16 million in 2025, \$13 million in 2026, and a \$3 million buyout for 2027.
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