Reds star Elly De La Cruz just made a surprising stop during his recovery

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is currently on the injured list for the first time in his Major League career. The Reds' superstar suffered a hamstring strain late last month while running up the first base line, and he's been on the 10-day IL since June 1.

Even though De La Cruz has been sidelined with an injury, he's been along for the ride. He travelled with the team during their recent road trip to St. Louis and San Diego, and he'll presumably be in the Reds' dugout on Friday night when the club returns to Great American Ball Park to begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But on Thursday night, De La Cruz took a drive up the road to Dayton. Cincinnati's two-time All-Star was spotted in the Dayton Dragons' dugout for the team's game at DayAir Ballpark against the Fort Wayne TinCaps; a game the Dragons won thanks a walk-off stolen base in the ninth inning.

The burning question among Reds fans is obvious: what was De La Cruz doing in Dayton? You'll have to ask him in order to get the full scoop, but the most likely answer is usually the simplest. He was probably just using the off day to take in a minor-league game that's less than an hour's drive up I-75.

The Reds need Elly De La Cruz back in the worst way

Of course, there's a chance (albeit a small one) that De La Cruz is readying to start a brief rehab assignment, and he'll soon go back to his roots in Dayton and get a quick tuneup with the Dragons before returning to the active roster. But with the Louisville Bats almost an equal distance down the road, a rehab assignment with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate seems more prudent.

Regardless of the reason for his appearance, the fact that De La Cruz was on hand for Thursday's game in Dayton and present in the Dragons' dugout was undoubtedly a treat for the cadre of young prospects who certainly look up to the Reds' star. De La Cruz was sitting right where they are only a few short years ago, and he surely had some words of wisdom for the young crop of players in attendance.

The Reds have missed De La Cruz's bat in the lineup and his glove on the field. Since he was placed on the injured list, Cincinnati has gone just 2-7 and are currently sitting at the bottom of the NL Central with a record of 32-35.

De La Cruz has been chomping at the bit to get back onto the field, and Reds manager Terry Francona has said he's been struggling to keep him away from baseball activities. De La Cruz knows his value to this year's team, but Cincinnati can ill-afford to have him make a repeat trip to the IL if he aggravates the injury because he came back too quickly.

Reds fans (and De La Cruz) need to be patient, but that's easier said than done.

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