Reds make surprising addition to Arizona Fall League roster

The Cincinnati Reds had already sent eight players to participate in this year's Arizona Fall League. Top prospect Edwin Arroyo and first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand, both of whom suffered significant injuries earlier this spring, will part of the Glendale Desert Dogs roster.

But another familiar name is set to join Arroyo and Encarnacion-Strand in the desert this month. Matt McLain, who missed all of the 2024 season due to a shoulder injury, will also take part in the Arizona Fall League this year. This will be the second time that McLain has played in the AFL.

Matt McLain joins Edwin Arroyo & Christian Encarnacion-Strand on Reds' Arizona Fall League roster

The Reds were blindsided earlier this year when it was announced that Noelvi Marte was slated to miss 80 games after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. But at the time, there wasn't much panic throughout Reds Country. Cincinnati had added Jeimer Candelario during the offseason and had a stable of young infielders to help balance out the roster.

But things went downhill after that. TJ Friedl suffered a broken wrist and then both Arroyo and McLain suffered shoulder injuries, putting the Reds in a bind. Encarnacion-Strand was hit by a fastball during the first month of the season as well and eventually landed on the 60-day IL after undergoing wrist surgery.

When it was all said and done, the Reds were forced to make a preseason trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, acquiring All-Star second baseman Santiago Espinal in exchange for a minor-league pitcher. With McLain out of the lineup, Jonathan India became the Reds' everyday second baseman this past season.

McLain attempted to make a return in August, but suffered a rib injury and was shut down for the rest of the season. It now appears that the former first-round pick will head to Arizona with eye on getting up to speed ahead of spring training next season.

This will be an important step in McLain's rehab process. The 24-year-old was arguably Cincinnati's best player a year ago, and the Reds desperately missed him this season.

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