Reds News: Brandon Williamson's rehab, Ian Gibaut shut down, Elly De La Cruz

The Cincinnati Reds got back to their winning ways on Monday night in San Diego with a 5-2 win over the Padres. Elly De La Cruz belted his eighth home run of the season, and Nick Lodolo shut down the Friars' bats.

The Reds' bats have been rather quiet of late, but the pitching staff has been on point. Hunter Greene had a terrific outing over the weekend, and after some first-inning struggles, Andrew Abbott settled in against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

But Monday night's performance from Lodolo might have been been the best from a starter this season. At the moment, the Reds starting rotation is not fully healthy. Frankie Montas is currently on the IL and so is Brandon Williamson. However, it sounds like the southpaw could be back sooner rather than later.

Reds News: Brandon Williamson injury update

Williamson suffered a shoulder injury near the end of spring training and was placed on the injured list prior to Opening Day. Williamson was unlikely to land one of the five spots in the Reds starting rotation, but the lefty was certainly in the mix.

According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Williamson is headed to the Arizona Complex League early next month to begin a rehab assignment. After a scheduled start in the ACL on May 9th, Williamson is expected to finish out his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. Depending on the health of the starting rotation at that point, Williamson will likely be optioned to Triple-A or recalled back to the big leagues.

Reds News: Ian Gibaut suffers another setback

Unfortunately, the injury news is not as rosy for Reds reliever Ian Gibaut. The right-hander has been on the IL since the start of the 2024 season, and it would seem as though his status will remain unchanged for at least the next few weeks.

Gibaut was returned from a rehab assignment recently, only to get back down to Louisville a few days later. But Gibaut has encountered another setback and has been shut down from throwing. Gibaut has been dealing with a forearm injury throughout the spring, and it appears as though the issue isn't fully resolved.

Reds News: Elly De La Cruz looking to surpass Deion Sanders

Entering Tuesday's game against the Padres, Elly De La Cruz is sitting on 18 stolen bases. According to MLB Network, that's more than over half the major league teams this season and the most before May 1st since Deion Sanders in 1997.

In 1997, while playing for the Reds, Sanders recorded 19 stolen bases during the month of April. Sanders was caught stealing just twice that month and ended the year with 56 stolen bases. Hugh Nicol holds the Reds record for most steals during a single season with 138, but Eric Davis' 80 stolen bases in 1986 is the most in team history during the modern era. If he keeps running, De La Cruz may give Davis a run for his money.

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