Every baseball season begins with optimism, from fans and players alike, concocting scenarios in their minds about how a team could make that magical run to the postseason and hoisting the World Series hardware above their heads.
Then reality sets in once the first key piece succumbs to the injury bug. Then the next. And the next. In the Reds' case, it seems to be a running list that grows weekly. First it was Matt McLain, then it was TJ Friedl, then Christian Encarnacion-Strand, then Friedl again, then Nick Lodolo, amongst others. The good news, however, is that Friedl and Lodolo are close to returning (Lodolo was reinstated and started Tuesday's game).
Matt McLain should return this season, but when exactly will that be? What does he have to offer for fantasy? Let's discuss.
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Matt McLain Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball
Matt McLain went on the IL back in March after having shoulder surgery. There hadn't been much of an update until Friday because, until then, McLain hadn't been cleared for baseball activities. That changed Friday when manager David Bell stated that McLain had met some strength targets and could now resume baseball activities.
David Bell expects big things from Matt McLain, and everything about his grand slam tonight was impressive.
#ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/MeORDCTAZu
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 22, 2023
It sounds like he'll be working out in Arizona at first but could start training and traveling along with the team within the next week or so. There still isn't a definitive date for his return, but a mid-to-late August return should be expected at this point.
Matt McLain Fantasy Baseball Outlook
The former 17th-overall draft pick put together a fine rookie season in 2023, posting a .290-16-50-65-14 line with a .370 wOBA and 128 wRC+ in just 89 games, which propelled him to finish fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. In addition, McLain had 12 homers and 10 stolen bases at Triple-A prior to joining the Reds, so he totaled 28 long balls and 24 stolen bases in a total of 129 games between the minors and majors last year.
It's a 4-hit game for Matt McLain!
After hitting for the cycle at Triple-A earlier this month, the @Reds' No. 5 prospect has his first 4-knock day in The Show. pic.twitter.com/PgPCG38I0y
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 28, 2023
If fantasy managers can get to August in a position to make the fantasy baseball playoffs, the 24-year-old should further solidify that position and McLain would be a multi-category contributor come playoff time. The UCLA product is still available in 55% of Yahoo leagues, but that number will surely begin to rise with Friday's news. If available in your league, pick him up and stash him in an IL spot until he returns, you'll be glad you did.
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