Elly De La Cruz injury scare vs. Cubs leaves Reds with major questions

Cincinnati Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz never leaves a game before the final out, so his early exit during Sunday night's game against the Chicago Cubs was obviously concerning. De La Cruz was pulled prior to the Reds taking the field on defense in the seventh inning, and he was replaced by utility infielder Ivan Johnson. The team officially ruled De La Cruz out with tightness in his left quad.

De La Cruz struck out during his final at-bat of the game — in the top of the seventh inning — though nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary when he returned to the dugout. Reds manager Terry Francona will receive numerous questions after the game, and will surely have a more detailed explanation for his superstar's absence over the final few innings of Sunday's series finale versus the Cubs.

De La Cruz was 2-for-4 with a run scored prior to his exit, and showed off his blazing speed while legging out an infield single in the top of the fifth inning. The Reds shortstop suffered a hamstring injury on a similar play earlier in the season and it cost him three weeks on the IL.

Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz exits game vs. Cubs with apparent injury

At this stage of the season, especially considering where the Reds are in the NL Wild Card standings, Cincinnati has every reason to proceed with caution. Removing De La Cruz for the final few innings of Sunday's game could help to keep him around for the final few weeks of the 2026 season.

If De La Cruz is forced to miss any significant time, Matt McLain — who filled in at shortstop on Sunday from the seventh inning on — and Edwin Arroyo can split time up the middle while their superstar shortstop is on the mend.

McLain is running out of time to prove that he should be part of the Reds' long-term plans, but he offers a reliable glove in the absence of De La Cruz. Arroyo was just recalled late last week, and drew the start at third base on Sunday night in place of the injured Ke'Bryan Hayes.

Reds fans should have more information as to the severity of De La Cruz's injury perhaps as soon as Francona's postgame interview with the media. If not, the Cincinnati faithful can expect to know more details before the team returns home to face the San Diego Padres on Monday night at Great American Ball Park.

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