Reds FeedElly De La Cruz
SS · Age 24 · Bats Switch
Where things stand
Elly De La Cruz exited Sunday's game against the Cubs in the seventh inning with left quad tightness, marking an unusual early departure for the Reds shortstop who had gone 2-for-4 with a run scored before the injury. Manager Terry Francona expressed confidence De La Cruz could return soon, though the team has Edwin Arroyo and Matt McLain available at shortstop if extended time away becomes necessary. Off the field, De La Cruz faces arbitration eligibility this offseason and is projected to earn between $4.2 million and $8.5 million, with the Reds having previously offered him a deal that would make him their highest-paid player in franchise history—though the organization would need to roughly double that offer to retain him beyond his current contract.
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2026 season
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Elly De La Cruz coverage
Joey Votto's joke reminded Reds fans of the harsh reality about Elly De La Cruz
During NBC's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast of the Reds-Cubs game, Joey Votto joked that the Reds cannot afford to keep shortstop Elly De La Cruz long-term, saying he will cost "roughly the GDP of a small country." De La Cruz will become arbitration eligible this offseason after earning league minimum for his first three seasons, and is set to enter free agency after 2027. The Reds previously offered De La Cruz a deal that would have made him their highest-paid player in franchise history, but the organization would need to roughly double that offer to retain him beyond his current contract.
Blog Red MachineNick Krall's problems go back to Reds' disastrous 2022 trade deadline
The Cincinnati Reds' current struggles under President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall trace back to the 2022 trade deadline, when the team sold off veterans like Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle while 42-61. The prospects acquired in return—including Edwin Arroyo, Noelvi Marte, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand—largely failed to develop as hoped, with only Spencer Steer becoming a reliable contributor. As a budget-constrained franchise, the Reds needed a strong homegrown core to compete, but the failed 2022 deadline acquisitions forced Krall to make inefficient spending decisions that have hampered the team's ability to build around young stars like Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart.
Blog Red MachineReds blast four homers in 7-5 win over Cubs on Sunday Night Baseball
The Reds defeated the Cubs 7-5 on Sunday Night Baseball to win the series at Wrigley Field. Cincinnati's four home runs came from Hector Rodriguez (three-run shot), Dane Myers, Tyler Stephenson, and Sal Stewart (418-foot solo blast), while Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two homers including one in the first inning. Reds starter Chase Burns allowed two earned runs over 5.2 innings on 100 pitches despite an early umpiring miss on a strikeout call. Elly De La Cruz left the game early with quad tightness, though manager Terry Francona expressed confidence he could return to the lineup soon.
Red ReporterElly De La Cruz injury scare vs. Cubs leaves Reds with major questions
Elly De La Cruz left Sunday's game against the Cubs in the seventh inning with left quad tightness, an unusual move for the Reds shortstop who typically stays through the final out. De La Cruz was 2-for-4 with a run scored before his exit and had legged out an infield single earlier in the game, similar to the play that caused a hamstring injury costing him three weeks earlier this season. If De La Cruz requires significant time off, the Reds can deploy Matt McLain and Edwin Arroyo at shortstop while their star recovers. Manager Terry Francona is expected to provide more details about the injury's severity soon.
Blog Red MachineElly De La Cruz has transformed the Reds against left-handed pitching
Elly De La Cruz has dramatically improved his performance against left-handed pitching in 2026, posting a 1.015 OPS that ranks sixth in the majors among qualified hitters, a stark reversal from his career struggles from the right side of the plate. The Cincinnati Reds have followed suit, improving from one of the worst teams against lefties in 2025 to seventh in the majors with a .732 OPS and a 10.9% walk rate. De La Cruz has recorded 139 plate appearances against southpaws this season compared to 210 last year, partly due to injury, and his expected statistics suggest some luck may be involved in his success. Manager Terry Francona has supported De La Cruz's development as a switch-hitter, and the infielder has been vocal about his commitment to improving from the right side.
Blog Red MachineTerry Francona may have stumbled into perfect Reds lineup solution nobody saw coming
Reds manager Terry Francona moved rookie Héctor Rodríguez to the leadoff spot for Wednesday's game against the Giants, and Rodríguez responded with three hits and two solo home runs in a comeback victory. Rodríguez had entered the game with a weak .265 on-base percentage but was riding a four-game hit streak and has gone 8-for-21 with three homers over his last five games. Francona had previously expressed reluctance about Elly De La Cruz batting leadoff, stating the team lacked a suitable everyday option for the position. Rodríguez's lack of success against left-handed pitchers—0-for-5 this season—could complicate Francona's decision when the Reds face Cubs left-hander David Peterson on Friday.
Blog Red MachineFiring Chris Valaika should be the start of sweeping changes for the Reds
The Cincinnati Reds rank last in batting average and on-base percentage while sitting 27th in runs scored, with the second-most strikeouts in baseball. Chris Valaika, the team's hitting coach and Director of Hitting, faces likely dismissal due to the offensive struggles, though the article argues the problems run deeper than one coach. While Valaika has improved the team's barrel rate from 7.3% to 9.3%, the Reds' strikeout rate of 25.4% and excessive fly ball rates among players like Eugenio Suárez, Elly De La Cruz, and others continue to undermine offensive production. Meaningful change will require addressing the team's overall hitting philosophy and approach, not just replacing Valaika.
Blog Red MachineCincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants – Nick Lodolo vs. Logan Webb
The Cincinnati Reds face the San Francisco Giants in Wednesday's series finale with manager Terry Francona making lineup changes, including moving rookie Hector Rodriguez to leadoff while dropping Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart in the batting order. Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo takes the mound with a 5.04 ERA this season, looking to rebound from a poor outing against Arizona. Giants starter Logan Webb will oppose Lodolo with first pitch scheduled for 3:45 PM ET.
Red ReporterThe Reds have a bigger problem than losing games and it should scare them into action
The Cincinnati Reds face a crisis beyond their on-field struggles: they haven't won a playoff series since 1995 and will likely miss the playoffs for the 11th time in 13 seasons. An entire generation of fans has grown up without witnessing postseason success, and the organization has squandered the talents of Hall of Famers like Joey Votto while potentially repeating the pattern with young star Elly De La Cruz. The article argues that the real danger is losing fan engagement entirely, with longtime supporters approaching apathy toward the team. The author contends that ownership must replace front office leadership, including general manager Nick Krall and Brad Meador, to signal meaningful change to a frustrated fanbase.
Blog Red MachineHunter Greene's injury puts Reds' 2027 payroll in the spotlight
Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery and is likely to miss the 2027 season, though his $15.3 million salary will still count against Cincinnati's payroll that year. The Reds currently have only four players with guaranteed 2027 contracts totaling $40.32 million, but face significant arbitration raises for players including Elly De La Cruz, Andrew Abbott, and Matt McLain. De La Cruz is expected to earn somewhere between $4.2 million and $8.5 million based on recent comparable deals, while Abbott and McLain could collectively earn around $15 million or more. With additional arbitration-eligible players and potential non-tenders to consider, the Reds' 2027 payroll could reach $70-75 million.
Blog Red MachineTerry Francona may have quietly revealed the Reds' biggest offseason need
Terry Francona stated he would prefer Elly De La Cruz not bat leadoff for the Reds, citing the burden placed on De La Cruz and Sal Stewart as the team's only consistent offensive performers. The manager's comments suggest Cincinnati will pursue a traditional, contact-oriented leadoff hitter in the offseason, though finding one that fits the team's budget may prove difficult. Luis Arraez is mentioned as a possible target to replace struggling second baseman Matt McLain, though he lacks the plate discipline and speed of a classic leadoff hitter.
Blog Red MachineJustin Lebron's fast start gives Reds plenty to dream on
Justin Lebron, Cincinnati's first-round draft pick from the University of Alabama, has started his professional career with the Dayton Dragons by batting .381 with two home runs and a stolen base in five games, including a grand slam. The shortstop prospect possesses elite athleticism and power-speed tools but carries uncertainty about whether his hitting ability will fully develop. Lebron now ranks as the Reds' third-best prospect overall and could eventually replace Elly De La Cruz at the position, though he remains a high-risk, high-reward selection given his inconsistent hit tool.
Blog Red MachineReds have a growing Elly De La Cruz problem Terry Francona promised to fix
Elly De La Cruz is struggling through a 2-for-34 slump and committed two errors in Sunday's game against Miami, raising questions about whether rest would help the Reds shortstop. Manager Terry Francona promised during the offseason to give De La Cruz occasional days off after playing him heavily last season, but has not followed through, partly because De La Cruz missed nearly a month with a hamstring injury in June. The Reds face a demanding stretch with an 18-game schedule over 17 days, including a doubleheader Monday against St. Louis, where De La Cruz is expected to start both games. With Cincinnati's playoff odds at 0.2%, Francona could move De La Cruz to designated hitter while shifting other infielders to shortstop, though the team's limited roster depth makes removing their star difficult.
Blog Red MachineReds' 2027 reset must include a change beyond just Nick Krall
The Cincinnati Reds' 2027 reset must address problems beyond President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, whose roster construction has underperformed relative to available resources. While Krall bears responsibility for the team's struggles, hitting coach Chris Valaika also deserves scrutiny after the Reds ranked near the bottom in most offensive categories over the past two seasons despite the development of Elly De La Cruz and the addition of Sal Stewart. Key players like TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, and Matt McLain have all experienced significant statistical declines, suggesting coaching and approach issues beyond roster talent. The team's offensive strategy appears one-dimensional, relying heavily on home runs rather than a comprehensive plan at the plate.
Blog Red MachineReds may have their new 'core four' ready to make some noise in the minors
The Cincinnati Reds' original "core four" prospects from 2023 have largely disappointed, with only Elly De La Cruz succeeding at the major league level while Matt McLain struggled with injuries, Noelvi Marte lost playing time, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand was released. The organization is now developing a new group of young talent including 2026 first-round pick Justin Lebron, who went 2-for-5 with a double in his professional debut with the Dayton Dragons, and fellow 2026 draft pick Mulivai Levu, who hit a two-run homer in his debut with the Daytona Tortugas. Other prospects contributing include Eric Becker from the University of Virginia and Tyson Lewis, a 2024 second-round pick hitting .279 with six home runs in High-A ball.
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