Reds' roster casualty doesn't have to be complicated when Elly De La Cruz returns

After missing a little over two weeks with a hamstring strain, the Cincinnati Reds are sending shortstop Elly De La Cruz on rehab assignment with the Louisville Bats beginning on Friday. If all goes well, the Reds are expected to activate De La Cruz ahead of next Tuesday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.

But with De La Cruz on his way back to the active roster, many fans are wondering who'll get sent down when the superstar shortstop returns? It's honestly not as complicated as one might think.

Will Benson should be optioned when Reds activate Elly De La Cruz from the IL

When it's finally time to activate De La Cruz from the IL, the Reds should simply option Will Benson back to the minor leagues. He has become little more than a bench bat and defensive replacement at this stage of the season, and is hitting just .188/.310/.333.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that one of Matt McLain or Edwin Arroyo should be sent down; not Benson. And while there are certainly flaws that exist, I'd simply ask one question: which player is least likely to help you win games? Given Benson's lack of production (and playing time) the answer seems rather clear.

There are those who might argue that keeping Arroyo on the Major League roster as a part-time player will stunt or slow his development. That may be true, but the Reds have already moved players like Chase Petty and Jose Franco into relief roles rather than continuing to develop them as starters, so there's definitely some precedent that's been set this season.

McLain been heating up of late, and is hitting .233/.377/.512 over his last 15 games. Arroyo has made meaningful strides during his last couple of starts, including his first extra-base hit of the season on Tuesday night against the New York Mets.

Given the nature of De La Cruz's injury, Cincinnati's leadership may want to give him some increased time off his feet once he's back in the lineup. Rather than deploy him routinely at shortstop, it wouldn't be a surprise to see De La Cruz draw a handful of starts as the teams' DH. If that's part of the equation, having an extra shortstop on the roster could be a tremendous asset.

De La Cruz was placed on the IL on June 1, and the Reds have endured a rough stretch while their superstar was on the mend. Cincinnati dropped four consecutive three-game series — including a sweep at the hands of their NL Central rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.

When De La Cruz comes back, the Reds need to start piling up wins. Cincinnati broke out of the gates well, but a terrible record during the month of May and a slow start at the outset of June have fans wondering about this team's chances to even make the playoffs this season. Having their superstar shortstop back in the saddle might help to calm some of those fears.

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