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Elly De La Cruz Serving as the DH on Monday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for the Reds in Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Michael King at Great American Ball Park, according to MLB.com. Matt McLain will start at shortstop and bat seventh. Fantasy managers had a scare in Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs when De La Cruz was pulled early with tightness in his left quad, but he will be back a day later as the DH. Even if the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is not as aggressive on the base paths on Monday, he needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups in traditional leagues. The two-time All-Star is a five-category contributor and is currently slashing .271/.350/.479 with an .828 OPS, 21 homers, 60 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 468 at-bats this year. De La Cruz will be looking to finish off August on a strong note. He has gone hitless in just five career at-bats against King.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Elly De La Cruz Diagnosed With Left-Quad Tightness
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) was diagnosed with left-quad tightness after he exited in the seventh inning of Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs. De La Cruz was replaced in the lineup by Ivan Johnson, but not before he went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, a run, and two strikeouts. The 24-year-old owns a .269/.349/.476 slash line with 21 home runs, 60 RBI, 24 steals, a 10.7% walk rate, a 27.0% strikeout rate, and a career-high 125 wRC+ this season. De La Cruz avoided injury throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but he missed three weeks earlier this year due to a right hamstring strain, and now it appears that he's banged up once again. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for additional injury updates from the Reds after Sunday night's game goes final. UPDATE: FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith reports that De La Cruz has a chance to play in Monday's series opener against the San Diego Padres.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Edwin Arroyo Has Big Potential After Late-Season Call-Up
Cincinnati Reds middle-infield prospect Edwin Arroyo was recalled by the Reds from Triple-A Louisville on Friday and has the potential to be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues down the stretch. Arroyo was 0-for-1 in his return to Cincinnati on Saturday after making an appearance in the big leagues earlier this season. The infielder was hitting pretty well for Louisville in August with four homers and nine RBI while hitting .261. At Louisville this season, Arroyo had 285 at-bats in 72 games with 15 homers and 43 RBI and hit .309. Arroyo made his first appearance with the Reds on June 1, and he spent two full months playing in Cincinnati with the big-league club. The 23-year-old switch-hitter hit .242 in 132 at-bats with no homers and five RBI and 13 runs scored. Look for Arroyo to be a help in the batting average and runs scored categories specifically.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Edwin Arroyo Heating Back Up at Triple-A
Cincinnati Reds infielder Edwin Arroyo is starting to pick up the pace at Triple-A Louisville, now 13-for-36 (.361) over his last 10 games for the Bats, including three doubles and three home runs. The former second-rounder was also hitting well earlier this year, which earned him a promotion to the big-league club back in early June, now with a .314/.377/.557 slash line with 15 home runs and 13 steals in 70 games with Louisville. The switch-hitter's hot hitting didn't quite translate to the majors, batting .244 (exactly league average) but with just a .286 on-base percentage, .282 slugging percentage (zero home runs), and one stolen base. Even so, there is enough power and speed to make him intriguing for fantasy if he can somehow put it together the next time he's recalled, so fantasy managers in very deep leagues should monitor for any developments, although he is not necessarily a stash target at this time.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Edwin Arroyo Could Be Good Bet to Get Back to Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds middle-infield prospect Edwin Arroyo had a stint with the Reds earlier this season but has just put in a productive month of August back at Triple-A Louisville. Arroyo hit four homers with nine RBI this month while hitting .305 back in the minors. He made a good case for himself to make a return to the major leagues with Cincinnati. The infielder had a stint in the majors in July and hit .244 with no homers and five RBI in 131 major-league at-bats. Aside from his month-long MLB stint, Arroyo has played all of his ball at Triple-A this season, hitting 15 homers with 43 RBI to go with 13 stolen bases and a .319 batting average in 276 at-bats with Louisville. He earned his first call-up, and based on how he's hitting for Louisville, he might get another chance this season. Fantasy managers will want to pay close attention to how Cincinnati handles Arroyo's situation.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Red Sox's Trade Discussions for Elly De La Cruz Have Stalled Out
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is reportedly on the trade block ahead of Monday's trade deadline. The Boston Red Sox attempted to make a deal for De La Cruz, but the two sides couldn't agree on a deal. According to Sean McAdam, the Reds wanted young major leaguers in exchange for De La Cruz. The Red Sox were unwilling to move their young MLB talent and would rather trade from within their farm system. It doesn't sound like a deal is going to happen between the two, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the Red Sox add another bat before the deadline is over.
Source: Sean McAdam
Source: Sean McAdam
Justin Lebron Joins Reds With 18th Pick in MLB Draft
The Cincinnati Reds strengthened their infield pipeline by selecting shortstop Justin Lebron with the 18th pick in Saturday's draft. Lebron was a highly regarded prospect on MLB Pipeline, ranked No. 9 overall in this year's class ahead of the draft. Lebron has spent all three of his college seasons at Alabama and has been quite productive in each. While he was more of a contact hitter as a freshman (.338 AVG), he has since begun to tap into his power. In 2026, Lebron hit 16 home runs, posted a .920 OPS, and swiped an elite 42 bags. The year prior, he would hit a season-best 18 long balls. On his scouting report, Lebron was given an elite 70-grade in speed and a high-end 60-grade in power, with his lowest mark coming with a 45-grade in hitting. While he has shown a tendency to chase pitches, his budding power and elite speed make him a prime selection at the top of most first-year player drafts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Reds Place Matt McLain on Injured List With Calf Strain
The Cincinnati Reds placed middle infielder Matt McLain (calf) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a calf strain and activated third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. It's more bad news for McLain, who has really struggled in 2026 with a .190/.293/.328 slash line, a .622 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 32 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 309 plate appearances in his third year in the big leagues. The former first-rounder out of UCLA had already been losing valuable playing time at the keystone to rookie Edwin Arroyo. At least to close out the first half and to begin the second half of the season next weekend, Arroyo is headed for a full-time role in Cincy at second base. McLain's fantasy value has tanked after he came into the season as a potential breakout candidate. He's currently rostered in only 30% of Yahoo leagues, with that number set to drop even more now that he's injured.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Matt McLain Out on Thursday With Calf Injury
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that middle infielder Matt McLain (calf) is out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies because his calf is a little beat up, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Edwin Arroyo is starting at the keystone and will bat eighth versus Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. McLain's injury doesn't sound all that serious, but the Reds could elect to be cautious and give the struggling 26-year-old some extra rest this weekend before next week's All-Star break. The former 17th overall pick out of UCLA in 2021 continues to lose playing time while hitting just .190/.293/.328 with a .622 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 32 runs scored in 83 games across 309 plate appearances. McLain should have some positive regression in the second half, but his .226 xBA and .317 xwOBA don't scream buy-low candidate in fantasy circles. His next chance to return to the lineup will come on Friday at home versus the division-rival Chicago Cubs.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Matt McLain Making First Career Start in Center Field
Cincinnati Reds middle infielder Matt McLain is making his first career start in center field and will bat eighth in Wednesday's contest on the road against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan, per MLB.com. The Reds need a right-handed-hitting center fielder, with both Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) currently on the injured list. The 26-year-old former 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft out of UCLA has lost out on playing time at second base to rookie Edwin Arroyo while coming into Wednesday's game with a .198 average (51-for-257) with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 31 runs scored, and a 25.9% strikeout rate. McLain's strikeout rate is actually a career low, and he also has a career-best 11.8% walk rate, so positive regression should be coming his way in the second half. However, an everyday role in Cincy's lineup the rest of the way isn't guaranteed, which is why he's rostered in only 33% of Yahoo leagues now. He's been ice-cold at the plate in his last 11 games, going 3-for-27 (.111) with a double, two runs scored, a steal, four walks, and 14 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt McLain to See Playing Time in Center Field?
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that middle infielder Matt McLain worked out in center field on Tuesday, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. The Reds have a need in center field with both Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) going on the injured list recently, and McLain could give them a right-handed bat at the position to close out the first half of the season. The 26-year-old former 17th overall pick in 2021 out of UCLA is batting just .199/.303/.344 with a .646 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 256 at-bats in his third year in the big leagues, leading to rookie Edwin Arroyo taking over the majority of the playing time at the keystone in 2026. McLain moving to center field would open up another avenue for him to get into Cincy's lineup, but it remains to be seen if he'll see enough starts there to gain outfield eligibility in fantasy leagues. TJ Friedly is starting in center and batting ninth for the Reds on Tuesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Sproat.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Elly De La Cruz in the Lineup After Injury Scare
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (ankle) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting leadoff on Monday for the series opener against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Robert Gasser, according to MLB.com. De La Cruz twisted his ankle in Sunday's loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, but he stayed in the game after having his ankle taped. With the star shortstop serving as the DH, Matt McLain will start at the 6 and bat eighth, with Edwin Arroyo playing second base and hitting in the nine-hole. De La Cruz might not be exactly 100% healthy, but the 24-year-old Dominican should be in all starting lineups in traditional leagues as a five-category contributor. The two-time All-Star is hitting .268/.339/.480 with a career-high .819 OPS, 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 42 runs scored across 63 games and 280 plate appearances. De La Cruz has gone 21-for-71 (.296) at the plate against southpaws this year, adding five of his 12 home runs against them in 78 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Elly De La Cruz Sprains Ankle on Sunday, Set for Re-Evaluation on Monday
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (ankle) suffered a sprained ankle after taking an awkward fall during his team's loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, per Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. De La Cruz was able to stay in the game and may be able to avoid missed time, but Reds manager Terry Francona said that De La Cruz will be reevaluated on Monday. Even if De La Cruz avoids a stint on the injured list, fantasy managers should be aware that the speedster may now be playing through an ankle injury, fresh off his return from the injured list due to a hamstring strain. Across 280 plate appearances in 2026, De La Cruz is hitting .268/.339/.480 with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. He's struggled since returning from the hamstring strain that caused him to miss the first three-plus weeks of June, recording just two hits in his first 23 plate appearances off the IL. De La Cruz is an elite fantasy shortstop who produces across all five categories when healthy, but he may not be operating at full strength as the Reds head into a four-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Elly De La Cruz Officially Activated From Injured List
The Cincinnati Reds officially activated shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Will Benson to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Fantasy managers should be ready to get De La Cruz back into their starting lineups against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Sproat on Tuesday. The 24-year-old has yet to play in June due to a strained right hamstring, but now that he's back, he'll return to being a must-start fantasy asset in all formats. Middle infielder Matt McLain will shift back to second base with De La Cruz back in the fold. De La Cruz is a five-category contributor as one of the elite athletes in the big leagues. He is returning to a .280/.346/.509 slash line with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across his 58 games played and 257 plate appearances. De La Cruz has had at least 22 homers and 37 stolen bases in his first two full MLB seasons.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Elly De La Cruz Set for Tuesday Return Against Brewers
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is on track for a return on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers after being sidelined since June 1 with a right hamstring strain. The young phenom is fresh off a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville and has progressed nicely, beating his expected return timeline. The 24-year-old continues to improve in his fourth year in the league, with expectations remaining sky-high given the talent he possesses. De La Cruz is slashing .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS and 12 home runs in 58 games, while also adding 10 stolen bases with his blazing speed. He has seen a major jump in his average launch angle, which has helped fuel the highest slugging percentage of his career. The Reds will hope De La Cruz can pick up right where he left off as he continues to trend upward on all fronts.
Source: Charlie's Chalkboard
Source: Charlie's Chalkboard
