The Cincinnati Reds activate third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the injured list ahead of their Friday night game against the Chicago Cubs. Hayes had been sidelined with a back issue after missing 42 games due to a bulging disc in the lower back area. In a corresponding move, the Reds place second baseman Matt McLain on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain. Multiple outlets describe this as an in-season roster adjustment involving two infielders, one returning from the injured list and the other beginning a new stint on it. The team’s moves align with standard MLB procedures for activating players once they are healthy enough to return, while placing injured players on a short-term injured list tied to their specific injury timeline. The Reds proceed with Hayes back in the lineup and McLain out for at least the initial 10-day window as the team continues its schedule against Chicago.