Elly De La Cruz left the Reds’ 6-4 win over the Braves today due to what the team described as right hamstring strain. The star shortstop ripped a line drive to the gap in right-center field during the fifth inning, but held on to first base in obvious discomfort, then left the game after a visit from the team’s trainers.
Manager Terry Francona told reporters (including Pat Brennan of the Cincinnati Enquirer) that De La Cruz will undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine the extent of his injury. De La Cruz believes he avoided serious injury, telling reporters through an interpreter that “when I made the first turn, I felt my muscle stiffness and immediately I decided to stop because I felt like ‘if I continue, this will get worse..’ “
The Reds will host the Royals in a three-game series starting Monday, then have an off day on Thursday. If the MRI results show nothing serious but De La Cruz still feels sore, the Reds may opt to play with a short bench during the Kansas City series in hopes that four days of rest will allow De La Cruz to be ready for Friday’s game. Dane MyersCondition is also a factor as the outfielder has missed the last two games due to illness, so if Myers doesn’t feel better tomorrow, Cincinnati probably won’t want to play with two players unavailable.
At 58 games, De La Cruz is on pace for what might be the best in his four Major League seasons. De La Cruz had two singles, two runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base in his shortened outing today, and is now hitting .280/.346/.509 with 12 homers over 257 plate appearances. Only six professional hitters in baseball have more than De La Cruz’s 2.5 fWAR, as he has matched his offensive production with improved glove work in shortstop.
Losing De La Cruz for even 10 days of IL would be a heavy blow to the Reds heavy lineup. Foreign contributions from De La Cruz, Sal Stewartand (with smaller sample sizes) Nathaniel Lowe again JJ Bleday they helped prevent a miserable start from some of Cincinnati’s hitters, not to mention some shaky pitching from a devastated rotation and bullpen.
Matt McLain likely to take over at shortstop in the event of an injury to De La Cruz, and a very good opportunity. Edwin Arroyo he’s on the 40-man roster and could be called up to provide outfield depth. Among McLain’s struggles at the plate as well It’s Bryan Hayes‘ in the absence of injury, the Reds’ latest lineup has seen Stewart once Eugenio Suarez split third base and DH at-bats, Spencer Steer has been getting more time at second base, and the hitting Lowe has gotten an increase in playing time at first base.
