Former Reds star dealt devastating injury news that still hits home in Cincinnati

Jonathan India was beloved during his time with the Cincinnati Reds. While most fans would probably concede that trading him to the Kansas City Royals after the 2024 season was necessary, it was somewhat of a solemn transaction that left the Cincinnati faithful discouraged by the move.

Sadly, India's season with the Royals has already come to an abrupt end. It was announced earlier this week that the former NL Rookie of the Year underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and he's expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 campaign as a result.

India wasn't off to the best start this season, hitting just .167 with a 76 OPS+. But in typical Jonathan India fashion, his advanced knowledge of the strike zone helped him to draw eight walks in 48 plate appearances (13.8% walk-rate) and bolster his on-base percentage to a respectable .310. India had only appeared in 17 games this season, all of which came at second base.

The former first-round pick is in the final year of his arbitration window, and is making $8 million this season. India will be a free agent after the season, but his sub-par performance with the Royals — coupled with a lost year following major surgery — could result in a pillow contract during the upcoming offseason as he'll be hoping to rebuild his value.

Jonathan India was supposed to usher in the future of Reds baseball

There was a time during his tenure in Cincinnati when India looked like a key piece of the Reds' future. After winning the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Award, Reds fans had high hopes that he and Tyler Stephenson would be core members of the next great group that would lead Cincinnati back to postseason glory.

Unfortunately, India's sophomore campaign did not mimic his rookie season. He suffered an injury during the Field of Dreams Game in August and appeared in just 103 contests in 2022. He posted an underwhelming .249/.327/.378 slash line just one year after hitting .269/.376/.459. It was more of the same in 2023 when he hit .244/.338/.407.

Were it not for Matt McLain's season-ending shoulder injury during spring training in 2024, there's a chance that India's role would've been vastly different during his final year in the Queen City. He ended his time in Cincinnati hitting .248/.357/.392 in 2024, and was traded shortly after the season ended.

Reds fans still have an affinity for India. Much like Elly De La Cruz, India helped to inject a fun-loving spirit back into the city of Cincinnati. Reds fans will undoubtedly wish him well in his recovery, and there's hope that he'll be back on the diamond for Opening Day next season.

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