The Cincinnati Reds activated key players Alexis Diaz, Matt McLain, and Austin Hays ahead of their series against the Seattle Mariners, marking a significant boost for the team. Diaz, who was expected to be the closer, had been sidelined with a hamstring strain but returns just as Emilio Pagán has shone with a 1.23 ERA. McLain returns to second base after recovering from a hamstring issue and is positioned at the top of the lineup, while Hays, newly signed from Baltimore, makes his debut as the designated hitter after overcoming a calf strain.

With five wins in their last six games, including a recent sweep against Pittsburgh, the Reds aim to capitalize on this momentum with a fully operational roster. This newfound health could be pivotal as they face the Mariners in the next three games, all eyes on how these returning players can impact the lineup and overall team performance.