Reds outright Delino DeShields Jr. to Triple-A

The Reds have outrighted Delino DeShields Jr. off their 40-man roster and assigned the outfielder to Triple-A. After being acquired in a trade from the Red Sox on Aug. 31, DeShields hit .255/.375/.426 over 58 plate appearances for Cincinnati.

Albeit in a small sample size, it was a positive showing to conclude a busy 2021 season for DeShields, as the veteran outfielder played for three different organizations and didn’t see any MLB action until landing in Cincinnati. DeShields rejoined the Rangers on a minor-league deal back in February and was subsequently traded to the Red Sox in early August, before Boston sent him to the Reds.

DeShields put up some solid numbers (.252/.385/.366, 21 steals in 24 chances) over 381 combined Triple-A plate appearances with the Red Sox and Reds’ top affiliates. Between his impressive speed and defensive ability, DeShields saw regular work with the Rangers from 2015-19 but simply didn’t deliver much offensive production, leading Texas to trade him to the Indians in the 2019-20 offseason.

The Reds still have a year of arbitration control remaining on DeShields, though Thursday’s outright would hint that the Reds are prepared to move on from the 29-year-old (whose father is Cincinnati’s first base coach).  DeShields could potentially return to the Reds on a fresh minor-league contract or perhaps sign with another team for a minors deal, as his base-stealing and glovework should get him looks from several teams in need of outfield depth.