With third baseman Eugenio Suárez away from the teamto take the United States naturalization test in Miami and MLB rosters expanding in September (from 26 to 28), the Cincinnati Redscalled up infielder Juan Brito from Triple-A Louisville.
Brito started 0 for 3 in his Reds' debut but knocked in a key insurance run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres that proved to be the difference in Cincinnati's 4-3 victory on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Great American Ball Park.
On Tuesday, Sept. 2, Brito's first hit as a Red was a big one as he launched a game-tying, three-run home run off of San Diego starter Casey Mize in the second inning.
It was Brito's first career big league homer.
First big league homer for Juan Brito‼️ Congrats,
Juan! pic.twitter.com/7Eq82Tx1IC
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 2, 2026
Here's what to know about Brito.
Juan Brito was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds last month
Brito was part of a quiet Reds trade deadline last month. He was acquired by Cincinnati from the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations and was sent to Triple-A Louisville.
Juan Brito's professional baseball career began at age 17
Brito signed with the Colorado Rockies as a 17-year-old in 2019 and appeared in 35 games for the Dominican Summer League Rockies that year.
Juan Brito was traded to Guardians during Terry Francona's final season in Cleveland
After two seasons in the Colorado farm system, Brito was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for fellow prospect Nolan Jones in November 2022.
The current Reds manager was entering what would be his final season as Cleveland's manager when the Guardians traded for Brito.
"I know him a little bit," Francona said Sept. 1. "He came over from Colorado. I think it was my last year in Cleveland. He's a switch-hitter. His main position is second. He can play third."
Francona said Brito would provide flexibility to the Reds' defense with Suárez away from the team and shortstop Elly De La Cruz in the designated hitter (DH) role due to quad tightness.
Juan Brito had 2 hits in MLB debut earlier this year
Brito was called up by the Guardians in April. In his MLB debut April 7, Brito went 2 for 4 with a double in Cleveland's 2-1, walk-off win over the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Brito recorded his first career RBI and scored his first big league run one day later in a 10-2 win over the Royals.
In 15 games with Cleveland, Brito slashed .176/.250/.255 with three RBIs.
In 22 games with Triple-A Louisville, Brito hit .232 with two homers and 11 RBIs.
"He kind of came in as advertised. I saw him when he was a kid," Francona said after Brito's Reds debut. "(Louisville Bats manager Pat Kelly) talked about, 'he just plays the game right.' He kind of did that tonight."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Juan Brito? Reds infielder hits 1st MLB homer vs. Padres
