Former Chicago Cubs Infielder Released by Reds
Former Chicago Cubs utility player Trey Mancini was released by the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, putting him back on the free-agent market for the second time this season.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported the release. Mancini was with the Reds on a minor-league contract. His released gives him a chance to hook up with a playoff-bound organization that might be able to use him before the Sept. 1 deadline.
With Triple-A Louisville, he hit two home runs in 19 plate appearances and slashed .316/.316/.737 in five games. Despite the slash, the Reds did not appear to have room for him on their 26-man roster.
Mancini signed with the Cubs in the offseason and put up some of the worst offensive numbers of his career in 79 games. He slashed .234/.299/.336/.635 with four home runs and 28 RBI. If Mancini does not return to the Majors this season, it will be his second straight season batting below .240.
The Cubs designated Mancini for assignment on Aug. 1 and then released him a day later. He signed with the Reds on Aug. 23.
Last season he was a deadline trade acquisition for the Houston Astros and he helped them win the World Series. But, he hit below .200 with Houston and hit eight home runs and drove in 22 in the regular season. He batted .048 in the postseason.
Mancini spent most of his career with the Baltimore Orioles. He broke in with the O’s in 2016 for five games and then played his first full season in 2017, where he finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting. With the Orioles he had a .270 batting average with 117 home runs and 350 RBI. He hit a career-high 35 home runs in 2019.
Mancini missed the COVID-shortened 2020 season while battling colon cancer and returned in 2021 to win the AL Comeback Player of the Year award with a .255 batting average, 25 home runs and 71 RBI.
