The Reds may be ready to give Carlos Jorge a September look, and that move would ripple through both the 40-man roster and the active roster.
According to MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, Cincinnati is planning to call up the club’s top outfield prospect. Rodriguez’s track record has drawn skepticism at times, but there appears to be little doubt around this latest bit of Reds rumors.
Jorge opened the year at Double-A Chattanooga, where he put together a strong run: .330/.402/.452 with six home runs, 32 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. That performance pushed him up to Triple-A Louisville, and in 29 games with the Bats he has posted a .263/.323/.377 line with eight extra-base hits, 11 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.
Before he can take the field for Cincinnati, Jorge has to be added to the 40-man roster. That part shouldn’t be much of a hurdle. Michael Toglia and Spencer Steer are both unlikely to return this season, and either one could be shifted from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL to create the opening.
The trickier part is where Jorge fits once he gets there. The Reds could be dealing with an injury that hasn’t been announced yet, or they might simply send utility infielder Ivan Johnson back to Triple-A Louisville if they want to clear a spot.
Héctor Rodríguez and Edwin Arroyo have already gotten extended opportunities this month after spending time alongside Jorge in the minors. Rodríguez was promoted after the August 3 trade deadline, while Arroyo returned when Ke’Bryan Hayes landed on the IL. Jorge could be next, and if the call comes, he’d get a 22-game audition to close out the 2026 season.
Jorge’s path has been a little unusual. He was originally a second baseman, but he has settled in as an outfielder.
Most of his work this season has come in center field, though he has also played both corner spots. He brings speed, range, and a left-handed bat that could pair well with the right-handed hitting Dane Myers.
It also points to what Reds fans already see coming: TJ Friedl’s role is shrinking fast. The former leadoff hitter has had a rough season and has mostly been used as a defensive replacement since returning from a trip to the minors earlier this year. After being placed on waivers last month, Friedl is likely headed for a non-tender in November.
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Reds Seem Ready To Add A Speed Threat But One Hurdle Remains
Carlos Jorge appears to be on the cusp of joining the Reds, with a broadcaster reporting the defensive-minded outfielder has been called up even though the move has not been made official. A player valued for his speed and glove, Jorge has built a reputation in the minors as a threat once he gets on base, giving Cincinnati the kind of athletic depth teams often chase as the season wears on.
The fit is easy to understand for a Reds club that can use another rangy outfielder and a little more pop in the running game. The only thing standing between Jorge and an actual debut with the big-league club is the paperwork of roster management, since Cincinnati would need to clear space on both the 40-man and 26-man rosters before the move can become official. [Read more 🡒]
Reds May Already Have A New Infielder Fans Need To Watch
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Lebrons offensive production has been encouraging enough to put him on the radar as one of the systems better young infield options, even if the evaluation is not perfectly clean yet. The swing still draws some questions, and the strikeout rate is part of the conversation, but the raw appeal is obvious enough that the Reds are watching closely. For a club trying to build depth around its young core, a developing shortstop with this kind of upside is exactly the sort of player that can become a bigger part of the picture faster than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Suddenly Have A September Audition Worth Watching Closely
September has already given the Reds a couple of fresh looks, and both Brandon Williamson and Juan Brito have made the most of the opportunity in different ways. Williamson returned to the rotation for his first start since April and gave Cincinnati a much-needed stretch of stability, working 5 innings while allowing three runs and striking out seven against the Padres. Brito, meanwhile, has been getting in-game reps at second base because of other absences, which has opened a cleaner path to evaluate what he might bring beyond a brief cameo.
Britos week stood out even more when he launched his first major league home run and added a stolen base in the same series, the kind of all-around flash that can make a late-season look matter more than the calendar suggests. For a club thinking ahead as much as it is trying to finish strong, these are the auditions worth monitoring, especially with Brito potentially in the conversation for the offseason roster and Williamson trying to show he can still be part of the pitching picture. [Read more 🡒]