Reds are making a painful Elly De La Cruz choice with season slipping away

Cincinnati Reds fans will have to wait at least another week before seeing Elly De La Cruz back on the active roster. FOX19 contributor Charlie Goldsmith is reporting that De La Cruz won't be activated ahead of the upcoming series against the New York Mets, and will instead be sent on a rehab assignment this weekend.

Most Reds fans probably expected to see De La Cruz back on the field Monday night against the Mets. Manager Terry Francona revealed that De La Cruz's hamstring was 90% healed when an MRI was taken last Friday, and he even hinted that a rehab assignment may not be necessary.

Nevertheless, the Reds are taking a very, very cautious approach with De La Cruz, and that's likely indicative of one thing — Cincinnati's leadership doesn't want this to become a long-term problem.

Reds are thinkining long-term with Elly De La Cruz injury strategy

If you're thinking big picture, this is probably the correct the strategy. But for the fan who's focused on seeing the Reds compete for a spot in the postseason this October, every game De La Cruz misses undoubtedly lessens the chance of Cincinnati getting back into playoff contention.

De La Cruz was well on his way to another season in 2026, and many pundits saw him as a dark horse candidate for this year's NL MVP Award. He's missed two weeks already, and by the time he returns from his rehab assignment, he'll have missed 18 games.

Given the concern centered around De La Cruz at the time of the injury, most fans would've probably accepted the three-week timetable. But the Reds have gone 3-9 with their star shortstop on the IL, and Cincinnati now sits 10½ games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central standings. The Reds are four games out of the final NL Wild Card spot.

De La Cruz isn't the only star the Reds are without at the moment. Hunter Greene, Cincinnati's best starter, has been on the IL since the season began. He'll begin a rehab assignment later this week as well, and there's a chance he could return before the All-Star break.

But by the time De La Cruz and Greene return to the active roster, it may be too late. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall has stressed the need for the team to stay afloat until their stars return and the trade deadline arrives. But at this rate, the ship may've already run aground.

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