The first half of the 2025 regular season has been one to remember for the Detroit Tigers, who have established themselves as one of the best teams in baseball. The Tigers have a 49-30 record, thanks to their outstanding pitching staff, and could be a threat to make a deep playoff run.
However, the 2025 MLB season hasn’t been great for every team and player in the majors. One former Tigers infielder is learning this the hard way, as this season has been rough in his career.
On Monday, veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario was shockingly designated for assignment by the Cincinnati Reds after reinstating him from the 10-day injured list.
The #Reds today activated from the 10-day injured list and designated for assignment IF Jeimer Candelario.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 23, 2025
The veteran infielder will now be subject to waivers, where any team can claim him, or the Reds could work out a trade within a week.
Calendario was in the second of a three-year, $45 million deal that he signed with the Reds in December 2023. The ex-Tigers infielder has missed the last several weeks, thanks to a lumbar spine strain that placed him on the IL at the end of April.
Before going on the IL, Candelario was struggling at the plate, hitting .113 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 22 games.
The Reds were likely hoping for a better performance from the former Tiger this season after he slugged .225 at the plate with 20 home runs and 56 RBI in 112 games last year.
Before joining the Reds, Candelario spent the 2023 campaign with the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs.
The 31-year-old infielder spent six years with the Tigers, who acquired him at the trade deadline from the Cubs in July 2017. Over his six-year run in Detroit, Candelario hit .243 with 65 home runs and 245 RBI.
After a disastrous short stint with the Reds, it will be interesting to see who takes a chance on the ex-Tiger in the coming days.