The 30-year-old slugger mashed at Triple-A Louisville for the Reds in 2024 — slashing .286/.385/.547 with 22 homers, 70 RBI and a 117/56 K/BB ratio over 421 plate appearances in only 99 games. He’ll add solid depth for the Reds, but given how crowded their infield mix looks already, it’s going to take a couple of injuries for him to get a legitimate shot at regular playing time in the big leagues.

Ríos is back in the fold with Cincinnati on a new deal as emergency infield depth shortly after electing free agency. The 30-year-old went 1-for-9 in five games with the Reds earlier this month before being designated for assignment.

Ríos went unclaimed on waivers after being removed from Cincinnati’s 40-man roster earlier this week and will test the free agent waters rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville. The 30-year-old corner infielder went 1-for-9 with four strikeouts in five games for the Reds earlier this month.

Rios didn’t get much of a chance to prove himself with the Reds this year. He went 1-for-9 (.111) with a walk in five games. Rios hit .243 with 11 home runs and 27 RBI in 50 games at Triple-A Louisville. The Reds have seven days to trade Rios or place him on waivers.