Elly De La Cruz Is 90% Healed And The Reds' Season Is Already On Life Support

Alright, so you know Elly De La Cruz, right? The dude is an absolute game-changer at shortstop for the Reds. Well, get this, there's good news, kinda: he's almost back from that nasty right hamstring strain, like 90% healed according to the latest scan! You'd think that means he's sprinting back onto the field, but hold up, Reds manager Terry Francona is playing this whole thing super cautious, and honestly, it's making the team look pretty rough right now.

The Slow Burn of a Return

De La Cruz is doing his part, running the bases at Great American Ball Park on June 15 and 16, and even took some fielding practice. Francona wants to send him out for a rehab assignment over the weekend, June 19-21. Problem is, that conflicts with the Reds' road series against the New York Yankees on the same dates. Talk about bad timing!

So, the earliest we're likely to see him back in a big league uniform is during their home series against the Milwaukee Brewers, June 22-24. Francona has been really consistent about bringing Elly back methodically, and you gotta respect that. They're trying to make sure he's not just back, but back for good. The team's preference for the rehab assignment? Triple-A Louisville, because of the competition level. But guess what? Louisville, along with Double-A Chattanooga and High-A Dayton, are all playing road series. It's like the universe is conspiring to keep him off the field!

Player Desperation vs. Manager's Discipline

You can bet Elly is absolutely champing at the bit to get back out there. He's been eager to return ever since he hit the injured list on June 1. Remember that May 31 game against the Atlanta Braves? He pulled up rounding first base in the fifth inning, probably had an extra-base hit, and just like that, his season paused. He was removed from the game, and then boom, IL the next day. It was a brutal moment to watch.

Francona gets it, he really does. He's had multiple talks with Elly, making sure the kid knows they're listening, and they desperately want him on the field. "We're dying for him to play," Francona said. But he's also stressing the importance of doing what's right, not just what's convenient. "I just don't think you can do what's right (only) when it's convenient. That's the best way. And I think, down deep, I think he understands. I just think he just wants to play desperately. And, (heck), I respect that a lot." You can feel the tension there, right? A star player itching to play, and a manager making the tough calls for the long haul.

The Reds Are Bleeding Without Him

Let's be real, the Reds could use Elly De La Cruz right now. They are absolutely struggling without their guy. Since he went on the IL, they've gone a dismal 3-9. Think about that! They've scored three runs or less in eight of those twelve games. That's just brutal. Heading into their home series against the New York Mets, they're sitting at 33-37. Ouch.

Team officials will need to figure out how to best integrate him back, whether it's having him play the field or just being a designated hitter at first. They'll evaluate his in-game activity levels, which makes total sense. We've all seen how injuries can derail a season. So, while Elly is chomping at the bit and 90% healed, it looks like that Brewers series is the earliest shot at seeing him back on the field. The Reds desperately need that spark. Let's hope this methodical approach pays off for them, because their record since he went down speaks volumes about how much they miss him.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.