The Reds have one roster spot open after sending Ivan Johnson to Triple-A Louisville, and the choice in front of them is pretty clear: take the easy route or make the bigger swing.
Johnson was optioned after Cincinnati’s loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday, and by Monday afternoon there still wasn’t a corresponding move announced. That leaves the club with a decision to make, and the most likely answer is another infielder.
Johnson hasn’t done much in his latest big-league look, going 1-for-12 while serving mostly as a late-inning replacement. With five outfielders already on the active roster, the need is on the dirt, not in the grass.
The straightforward solution would be Edwin Arroyo. He was sent back to Triple-A on July 30, which means he has cleared the 10-day minimum to be recalled. Juan Brito, acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, is another infield option.
But Cincinnati could go in a different direction and bring up Michael Toglia. The former Colorado Rockies slugger signed a minor-league deal with the Reds this past offseason and has spent the entire year at Triple-A Louisville. In 97 minor-league games, he’s hitting .273/.373/.547 with 22 home runs, 65 RBI, and a 135 wRC+.
Toglia’s path onto the roster is a little more involved, but it’s workable. With Hunter Greene now expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season, the Reds can move him from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL to clear a spot. From there, Cincinnati could select Toglia’s contract from Louisville and put him straight into the lineup.
Toglia has played some outfield, but most of his work this season has come at first base. That would let him step into the role Nathaniel Lowe had been filling, while also giving the Reds a way to move Sal Stewart to third base in place of Ke’Bryan Hayes.
The Reds are also expected to activate Nick Lodolo from the 15-day IL before Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, so another move is coming regardless. One of Zach McCambley or Luis Mey is likely to be optioned back to the minors to make room.
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