Elly De La Cruz left the Reds’ 6-4 win over the Braves in the present day because of what the membership described as proper hamstring tightness. The star shortstop cracked a line drive to the hole in right-center discipline throughout the fifth inning, but held up at first base in apparent discomfort, after which left the sport after a go to from crew trainers.
Supervisor Terry Francona informed reporters (together with the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Pat Brennan) that De La Cruz will bear an MRI tomorrow to find out the extent of the damage. De La Cruz believes he prevented a severe damage, telling the media by way of a translator that “after I was making the flip for first, I felt tightness in my hamstring and instantly I resolve to cease as a result of I felt like ‘if I hold going, this could worsen.’ ”
The Reds host the Royals for a three-game sequence that begins on Monday, after which have an off-day on Thursday. If the MRI outcomes don’t present something severe however De La Cruz continues to be feeling sore, the Reds may decide to play with a brief bench throughout the Kansas Metropolis sequence within the hopes that 4 days off would enable De La Cruz to be prepared for Friday’s recreation. Dane Myers‘ standing can be an element for the reason that outfielder has missed the final two video games because of sickness, so if Myers isn’t feeling higher by tomorrow, Cincinnati possible wouldn’t need to play with two gamers unavailable.
By 58 video games, De La Cruz is on tempo for what could be one of the best but of his 4 Main League seasons. De La Cruz had two singles, two runs scored, a stroll, and a stolen base in his abbreviated outing in the present day, and he’s now hitting .280/.346/.509 with 12 homers over 257 plate appearances. Solely six certified hitters in baseball have greater than De La Cruz’s 2.5 fWAR, as he has matched his offensive manufacturing with improved glovework at shortstop.
Shedding De La Cruz for even a 10-day IL stint could be a tricky blow to a top-heavy Reds lineup. Outsized contributions from De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and (in smaller pattern sizes) Nathaniel Lowe and JJ Bleday have helped cowl for underwhelming begins from a number of different Cincinnati batters, to not point out shaky pitching from an injury-ravaged rotation and bullpen.
Matt McLain would possible take over at shortstop within the occasion of a De La Cruz damage, and highly-touted prospect Edwin Arroyo is on the 40-man roster and may very well be known as as much as present infield depth. Between McLain’s struggles on the plate and Ke’Bryan Hayes‘ damage absence, the Reds’ current lineups have seen Stewart and Eugenio Suarez cut up the third base and DH at-bats, Spencer Steer has been getting extra time at second base, and the hot-hitting Lowe has gotten a rise in enjoying time at first base.
