The Cincinnati Reds are finally set to bring up Him. Multiple reports confirm that He will join the big-league roster when it expands on September 1. The move became clear on Sunday when the Reds outrighted Connor Joe from the 40-man roster to create space for their top prospect.
So why the delay? He could have been promoted weeks ago without affecting his rookie status for 2026, so that wasn’t the issue. While there have been concerns about his defense, the Reds could have easily used him as a designated hitter.
The real reason, though unspoken by the team, is fairly clear: Stewart’s call-up was held back because of Santiago Espinal’s presence on the roster.
Reds delayed promoting Sal Stewart and the reason why should infuriate fans
Once an All-Star, Espinal has been a favorite of Reds manager Terry Francona this season, but his production at the plate has been abysmal. He’s slashing just .245/.295/.285 with a 59 wRC+, yet has still found consistent playing time. Espinal has logged 109 games and 325 plate appearances this year.
Had the Reds chosen to bring up Stewart before roster expansion in September, they would’ve needed to remove someone from the active roster — and Espinal was the obvious choice.
The issue is that Espinal is out of minor-league options, meaning Cincinnati would have had to designate him for assignment. Instead, the Reds held on to the veteran while their top prospect was thriving in Triple-A.
President Nick Krall and the front office will surely cite reasons like Stewart needing more at-bats or defensive versatility, but those excuses only mask the real motivation behind the delay.
Stewart could’ve been added to the lineup before the team’s 10-day West Coast trip, or at least before their series with the Cardinals. Whether his presence would’ve changed outcomes is unknown, but what’s clear is Espinal’s continued struggles — he’s 2-for-14 with a pair of singles since the road trip.
If Cincinnati’s hesitation came down to loyalty toward a veteran who’s only been with the team a short time, it’s a misstep that could cost them a postseason berth.
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