The Cincinnati Reds activated third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes from the injured list before Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs, ending a 42-game absence caused by a bulging disc in his lower back. In a corresponding move, the club placed Matt McLain on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, retroactive to July 8.

Hayes, acquired from Pittsburgh near last year's trade deadline and a two-time NL Gold Glove winner, has struggled offensively this season. He enters play batting .142 with two home runs and five RBIs across 42 games. The 28-year-old spent time in Arizona reworking his swing mechanics, acknowledging the difficulty of changing ingrained movement patterns mid-career.

The Reds' outfield depth took another hit when TJ Friedl crashed into the wall making a catch Wednesday. Manager Terry Francona turned to Spencer Steer for his first major-league start in center field. Francona said Steer embraced the challenge after their conversation Thursday, though he cautioned against expecting highlight-reel range.

Cincinnati's infield defense improves immediately with Hayes' return, but the offense still awaits a breakthrough from a player paid like an everyday contributor. McLain's calf issue and Friedl's wall collision leave the roster thin on athletic versatility, forcing Francona to improvise with Steer in center — a move that solves today's lineup card but raises questions about sustainability over a long weekend series.