The Cincinnati Reds are finally getting some good news on the injury front. Elly De La Cruz, the electric shortstop who’s been sidelined all of June with a right hamstring strain, is headed to Triple-A Louisville to begin a rehab assignment. The team announced the move Friday, just as the Reds opened a series against the New York Yankees.
De La Cruz hasn’t played since June 3, when he pulled up awkwardly running to first base. The 24-year-old has already missed 15 games, and the Reds have felt his absence in the lineup. But this latest step suggests he might be back on a big league field sooner than later.
Cincinnati didn’t give a firm return date, but De La Cruz is expected to play his first rehab game sometime this weekend. That would put him in line to potentially rejoin the club during or right after the Yankees series, which runs Friday through Sunday at Great American Ball Park.
What the Reds Have Been Missing
Before the injury, De La Cruz was having a strong season. Through 232 at-bats, he’d racked up 65 hits, 12 home runs, and 37 RBIs. His .280 average and .346 on-base percentage were both solid, and he’d stolen 10 bases — reminding everyone why he’s one of the most dangerous runners in the game.
Without him, the Reds have leaned on Edwin Arroyo at shortstop, with Matt McLain rotating in from time to time. It’s worked okay, but De La Cruz brings a different energy. The kind that makes defenders nervous and fans stand up when he digs in. Getting him back in the infield is a real boost, especially with the Reds trying to hang around in a competitive NL Central.
Timing Matters
Sending De La Cruz to Louisville for a rehab assignment isn’t a surprise. It’s the standard move for a guy who’s been out a few weeks, letting him get some live at-bats and test the hamstring before facing big league pitching again. The Reds have been careful with him — no reason to rush a 24-year-old star back too fast and risk a setback.
Meanwhile, the Yankees series is a good test for Cincinnati. New York’s offense has been rolling, and the Reds need to keep pace. Having De La Cruz back, even if it’s a few days after this series ends, changes the look of their lineup entirely.
One thing to watch: how the hamstring responds to running the bases in a game setting. De La Cruz is aggressive on the bases — that’s part of what makes him special. But it also means he’ll need to be smart about testing that leg in his rehab games. If everything goes smoothly, the Reds could have him back in the lineup by the time they head out on their next road trip.
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