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Elly De La Cruz Set to Begin Rehab Assignment at Triple-A
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, per a team announcement. De La Cruz has been on the 10-day injured list since June 1 due to a hamstring strain, but he appears to be close to a return to the big leagues. Across 257 plate appearances before the injury, De La Cruz hit .280/.346/.509 with 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 24-year-old's underlying contact metrics were the best of his career, as he had logged a 14.6% barrel rate and a 50.9% hard-hit rate. Although De La Cruz was just 10 for 15 as a base stealer before the injury, speed remains a major part of his fantasy appeal. De La Cruz also struggled mightily in the second half of the 2025 season while attempting to play through a quad injury, so fantasy managers will have to hope that the superstar shortstop is fully recovered this time around. Still, De La Cruz profiles as a must-start shortstop with five-category upside upon his return to the Reds lineup.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Elly De La Cruz on Track to Start a Rehab Assignment on Friday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is scheduled to run on Tuesday and Wednesday and would start a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Louisville if he gets through his running program this week, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. De La Cruz would play five innings on Friday, serve as the designated hitter on Saturday, and then return to shortstop on Sunday. Manager Terry Francona said next Tuesday would be the earliest that De La Cruz would be activated from the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old switch-hitting Dominican superstar is nearing his return to the major-league roster as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks this weekend when he returns to game action. Once De La Cruz is back with the Reds, Matt McLain will slide back over to second base, which could push infield prospect Edwin Arroyo back to the minors. De La Cruz is a must-start in all traditional leagues when he's active. He'll be returning to a .280/.346/.509 with a career-best .855 OPS, 12 homers, 37 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 58 games played.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Edwin Arroyo Offers Deep-League Power-Speed Upside
Cincinnati Reds infield prospect Edwin Arroyo has not made a loud fantasy impact yet, but his prospect pedigree and recent Triple-A production still make him worth a look in deeper formats. The 22-year-old is hitting .219 with two RBI, two runs, no homers, no steals, and a .497 OPS through 32 major-league at-bats. That line does not stand out, but Arroyo earned the promotion after batting .323 with 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 41 runs, and nine stolen bases over 53 games at Triple-A Louisville. Arroyo was called up after Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) landed on the injured list, giving him a clearer path to short-term playing time in Cincinnati's infield. The early MLB results lower his upside in smaller leagues, but the switch-hitting prospect has already shown power and speed in the upper minors that make him worthy of a closer look in deeper formats. Available in 96% of Yahoo leagues, Arroyo is a deeper redraft target for fantasy managers willing to speculate on his five-category potential, while De La Cruz remains on the shelf.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matt McLain Emerging as a High-End Power/Speed Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 268 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is hitting .208/.315/.364 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. While the 26-year-old's season-long numbers don't leap off the page, he's begun to heat up in June. Across 46 plate appearances this month, McLain is hitting .270/.413/.595 with three home runs, five RBI, nine runs scored, and four stolen bases. With his 10.1% barrel rate and his homer-friendly home park in Cincinnati, McLain has significant power upside. He's also raised his walk rate to 12.3% while lowering his strikeout rate 23.9% so far this season, which should maximize his opportunities to get on base and use his speed. McLain's 20.4-degree launch angle limits his batting average upside, but he profiles as a potentially high-end power/speed threat for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elly De La Cruz Could Start Rehab Assignment This Week
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will run the bases on Monday and Tuesday, and if all goes well, he will start a minor-league rehab assignment later this week, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. De La Cruz is recovering from a strained hamstring, but if he avoids a setback this week and once he starts a rehab assignment, he could be back in Cincy's starting lineup early next week. Until then, middle infielder Matt McLain will continue to hold down the fort at the 6 for the Reds, with Edwin Arroyo and Spencer Steer splitting time at the keystone. While he rehabs, the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter should be stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy formats as one of the most dynamic all-around players in the game when he's healthy. Before going on the 10-day IL, De La Cruz was hitting .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 58 games and 257 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star has one of the highest ceilings in baseball with 30-homer potential. He stole a league-leading 67 bases in 2024 in his first full season in the big leagues.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Elly De La Cruz 90 Percent Healed From Hamstring Injury
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is 90% healed from his hamstring injury, manager Terry Francona told Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. Francona plans to meet with everyone on Sunday to make a decision on how to proceed. The Reds have yet to decide if De La Cruz will need a minor-league rehab start before being reinstated from the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old Dominican could be back with the Reds' major-league roster early next week if the coaching staff doesn't feel like he needs to go on a rehab assignment. Before injuring his hamstring, the two-time All-Star was slashing .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 232 at-bats in 2026. With De La Cruz sidelined for all of June to this point, the Reds have moved second baseman Matt McLain over to the 6. There is no way that De La Cruz, a switch-hitting, five-contributor, should be available on the waiver wire in any leagues.
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Elly De La Cruz Takes Infield on Wednesday, Scheduled for MRI on Friday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) took part in infield drills for the second straight day on Wednesday and is scheduled for an MRI on Friday, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. The 24-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain on June 1, but he appears to be making a speedy recovery and could return to the Reds lineup in short order. Across 257 plate appearances before getting injured, De La Cruz hit .280/.346/.509 with 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. De La Cruz's production fell off a cliff in 2025 when he attempted to play through a quad injury, which could lead the Reds to bring him along more slowly this time around. Fantasy managers should check back for a more definitive return timeline following the results of De La Cruz's upcoming MRI on Friday.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Matt McLain Flexing his Muscles Lately, Hits Two Homers on Sunday
Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is locked in at the plate right now. In the team's 5-3 loss on the road at Busch Stadium on Sunday to the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, he went 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs and two strikeouts to boost his season average to .206 and his OPS to .671. It was the 26-year-old's second career multi-homer game, and he has now cleared the fences three times in the last two games. McLain is still barely hitting over the Mendoza Line on the season, but he could be starting to turn the corner in June, going 5-for-15 (.333) in a small sample size of five games with three homers, a double, five RBI, and five runs scored in 17 plate appearances so far this month. Overall, the former 25th selection in 2018 out of UCLA has eight home runs, 25 RBI, 27 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 209 at-bats in 2026 as Cincy's starting second baseman. Keep in mind that McLain hit .290 (106-for-365) with 16 homers and 14 steals in 89 games in 2023 in his rookie season, and he also tore the cover off the baseball back in spring training.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Edwin Arroyo a Top Target Off the Waiver Wire After Recent Promotion?
Cincinnati Reds shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo was called up on June 1 after Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) landed on the injured list, and he's worth adding in 10-team leagues or more. De La Cruz will miss the next two to four weeks, so Arroyo is set to see everyday at-bats. Arroyo had been dominating at Triple-A Louisville before the promotion, hitting .323 with 11 home runs, 34 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 53 games while posting a .945 OPS. The 22-year-old switch-hitter has shown plus power and speed at the upper levels, and he now gets a chance to play every day while De La Cruz is sidelined. While his early MLB results have been limited as he's hitting .200 (2-for-10) in his first four big league games, Arroyo is an upside add, especially for managers looking for middle-infield help. If he can carry over even a portion of his Triple-A success, he could be a difference-maker in the second half and is rostered in just 12% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elly De La Cruz to Have MRI Next Friday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is set to have his scheduled MRI moved up three days to next Friday, June 12. The 24-year-old superstar has progressed so well that the team has deemed it appropriate to move the appointment up, which is encouraging news for fantasy managers. The examination will help the Reds determine the next steps in De La Cruz's recovery and, hopefully, provide some clarity on when he might be ready to return to the lineup. While he still has a long way to go, it appears he is on track to return toward the shorter end of the original two-to-four-week recovery timeline.
Source: Gordon Wittenmyer
Source: Gordon Wittenmyer
Elly De La Cruz to Miss 2-4 Weeks of Action
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day Injured List on Monday. De La Cruz will head to the shelf for the first time during his MLB career. Reds manager Terry Francona said that De La Cruz is looking at missing 2-4 weeks of action due to a Grade 1-2 hamstring strain. The best-case scenario is that De La Cruz is back in the mix by mid-June, but hamstring injuries can be tricky. Matt McLain will take over at shortstop on Monday, with Edwin Arroyo making his MLB debut at second base. The expectation is that these two will split up most of the playing time at shortstop while De La Cruz is out. Fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more updates on De La Cruz as he progresses.
Source: Mike Petraglia
Source: Mike Petraglia
Reds Promote Top Infield Prospect Edwin Arroyo, Viewed as Priority Pick Up Ahead of MLB Debut
The Cincinnati Reds are promoting top infield prospect Edwin Arroyo to the major leagues. In a corresponding move, the Reds are placing superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz on the 10-day injured list with a right-hamstring injury. Arroyo currently stands as MLB.com's No. 98-ranked prospect and is viewed as the team's No. 3 prospect. Arroyo has enjoyed a dominant start to the Triple-A regular season and is expected to see a major role in his first taste of the major leagues. With Triple-A, the infielder has posted an impressive .323/.383/.562 line with a stellar .945 OPS. During this 53-game stretch, Arroyo hit nine doubles, 11 home runs, and swiped nine bags. With De La Cruz now on the injured list, Arroyo should see near every day at-bats in this offense. His five-category potential makes him a priority target in all standard leagues.
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Elly De La Cruz Placed on IL with Right Hamstring Tightness
Cincinnati Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with right hamstring tightness, per Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19. The Reds called up top shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo in a corresponding move. De La Cruz felt the issue rounding first base on a leadoff single in the fifth inning of Sunday's win over the Braves and was pulled right away. He's scheduled for an MRI on Monday to get a clearer timeline to determine the severity of his hamstring issue. In the meantime, Matt McLain and the newly called-up Arroyo will handle shortstop, with Spencer Steer sliding around the infield for flexibility. Deeper-league managers chasing speed and upside should strongly consider adding Arroyo as a nice temporary boost. Before getting the call to the show on Monday, Arroyo slashed .323/.383/.562 with 11 home runs and nine stolen bases across 248 plate appearances for Triple-A Louisville.
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Elly De La Cruz Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves. De La Cruz was pulled from the game after suffering a hamstring injury while running the bases in the fifth inning. The team is calling it right hamstring tightness, so for now, De La Cruz should be considered day-to-day. Before leaving, De La Cruz went 2-for-2 with two singles, a stolen base, and a walk. Matt McLain took over at shortstop and would likely see increased time over there if De La Cruz hits the Injured List. The expectation is that De La Cruz will undergo further examination on Monday. Fantasy managers should get a better idea of how long he'll be out after that.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Edwin Arroyo a Must-Stash Prospect with Power and Speed
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Edwin Arroyo is having a fantastic season at the plate in Triple-A, and it seems like he's due for a promotion to the majors sooner rather than later. Through 51 games this year, he's slashing .332/.393/.567 with 10 home runs, nine steals, a 7.5% walk rate, a 14.9% strikeout rate, and 148 wRC+. His in-zone metrics have been phenomenal, including a 75.5% zone swing rate (89th percentile) and a 90.1% zone contact rate (87th percentile). He also ranks in the top one-third of Triple-A batters with an average exit velocity of 90.1 mph. Arroyo's blend of power and speed makes him a very intriguing prospect to stash in fantasy baseball, as we expect his home run and steal outbursts to continue at the major league level. We would be surprised if Arroyo doesn't get promoted to the majors in June, given how well he has hit all year long.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
