Reds' plan for Edwin Arroyo has all but sealed Matt McLain's fate

Edwin Arroyo made his Major League debut on Monday night for the Cincinnati Reds going 1-for-4 with a run scored. Unfortunately, the Reds lost the series opener to the Kansas City Royals by a final score of 9-2.

In addition to his first big-league base hit, Arroyo also turned in a dazzling defensive play during the top of the second inning that was arguably the highlight of the night. Royals' third baseman Nick Loftin grounded a ball to the right side of the infield and Arroyo, ranging to his left, made a diving stop and threw onto first base in time to get the out.

Arroyo is well regarded for his glove-work, but it's often as a shortstop. The Reds, however, chose to deploy Arroyo at second base on Monday night, and the plan moving forward is for him to play all over the infield. That's not a good omen for Matt McLain.

The clock is ticking for Reds infielder Matt McLain

McLain got the start at shortstop on Monday night in place of the injured Elly De La Cruz. The Reds' superstar will be sidelined for two to four weeks while he recovers from a right hamstring strain. McLain went 1-for-3 with a walk and a RBI double, but is hitting just .198 on the season with a .623 OPS.

Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith talked to McLain about the current plan — one that allows both him and Arroyo to play multiple positions on the infield — and asked if he viewed it as a competition. McLain's response was telling.

“It always is. We’re teammates. We’re out there playing up the middle together. I’m looking forward to turning more double plays together,” McLain told Goldsmith.

That's the politically correct response, and one you would expect to hear. As McLain said, he and Arroyo are teammates after all. But this friendly competition between the two middle infielders will end with one winner and one loser once De La Cruz returns from the IL. Given the upside that Arroyo provides, and McLain' struggles this season (and last), the rookie has the upper hand.

The Reds officially put McLain on notice when they promoted Arroyo to the active roster and he has a lot to prove with De La Cruz on the mend. The Reds need his bat to produce. Though JJ Bleday, Nathaniel Lowe, and Sal Stewart have all provided some unexpected results so far this season, McLain was supposed to be a huge part of the Reds' lineup. He's been anything but that to this point in the season, and now his job may be in jeopardy.

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