Reds OF Austin Hays, healthy after kidney infection, reflects on time with Orioles

GOODYEAR, Ariz.

In July 2023, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde held a team meeting to announce that years All-Stars.He pointed to catcher Adley Rutschman, and the entire room clapped.

[Felix] Bautista, Hyde shouted, pointing to the All-Star closer.

[Yennier] Cano, Hyde said as the cheers started to get louder.Then, Hyde picked the energy level up as he shared the final All-Star in the room.He shouted, Hays-ey!The entire clubhouse went crazy.It hasnt even been two years since Austin Hays was an All-Star and middle-of-the-order bat among the Orioles young core.

Everything that has happened since challenged him and tested him in ways he couldnt have expected.After being dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies at last years trade deadline, Hays signed a one-year, $5 million prove-it deal with the Cincinnati Reds this offseason.If he feels like he wants to prove something, go ahead, Reds manager Terry Francona said last week.

On Monday, Hays had three extra-base hits, including two home runs, in Cincinnatis 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Cactus League action.Hays has a great arm.

He can hit for power.

He can run.

He can hit the ball the other way.

Hes a leader.

Its great to have a guy like that who can do everything, Reds infielder Santiago Espinal said last week.Hays saw the entire Orioles turnaround get built from the ground up.

In 2021, as Baltimore finished with a 52-110 record, Hays played at an All-Star level during the second half of the season and established himself as an impact big leaguer.He had another good season in 2022.

Then in 2023, he was an All-Star on an Orioles team that won 101 games.Meanwhile, top outfield prospect Colton Cowser was charging up through the farm system.

So were versatile pieces like Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo.Hays saw the next wave of talent coming up through the farm system and embraced the competition.It was fun, Hays said.

Good teams have really good players.

I looked around and saw a lot of good players.

It gives you a more competitive mindset.

Youve got the next man up behind you, so youve got to take care of business.On opening day last year, Hays started in left field and batted fifth in a formidable lineup.

Cowser was on the bench that day, but he went on to become the American League Rookie of the Year runner-up after working his way into more regular at-bats.

Anthony Santander, Ryan OHearn and Cedric Mullins were also thriving.Orioles vs.

Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden YardsKenneth K.

Lam/Baltimore SunIt was fun, former Orioles outfielder Austin Hays said of his time in Baltimore.

Good teams have really good players.

I looked around and saw a lot of good players.

It gives you a more competitive mindset.

(Kenneth K.

Lam/Staff file)Hays says he developed a severe kidney infection last season.

Hes still not sure when it started, but the symptoms kept getting worse.

His muscles were sore, his back was aching, hed get fatigued and his vision would get blurry.

All of that impacted Hays production at the plate.As Hays struggled, he earned fewer at-bats and was relegated to a platoon player who only started against left-handers.

It didnt take long for him to start wondering about his future in Baltimore.Youre at that point in your career, Hays said.

Youre in arbitration.

Free agency is getting close.

Thats the time that players start to get moved.

I was unsure of what was going to happen, but you know in the back of your mind that its a possibility that you might get traded.

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PhilliesThe Orioles had a stockpile of outfielders and needed bullpen help, so they sent Hays to Philadelphia for reliever Seranthony Dominguez and outfielder Cristian Pache.Hays kidney infection only got worse in the second half of last season.

He had two separate stints on the injured list, and Hays was a well below-average hitter with the Phillies.At the end of the season, the Phillies released him instead of opting to pay him a projected salary of $6.4 million through arbitration.As a free agent, Hays signed with a Reds team that has plenty of competition in the corner outfield spots.

Cincinnati has a decent combination of power hitters, on-base guys and defense-first players.

But it doesnt have a complete everyday right or left fielder.Hays, 29, is aiming to earn one of those spots.I still feel really young, he said.

Im starting the prime of my career.

Ive definitely gone through a lot.

Ive experienced a lot of different things.

I made the playoffs twice.

I made an All-Star team.

Ive picked up a lot along the way even though my career is young so far.

I can bring that to the Reds clubhouse.Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13..

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