Reds' Terry Francona Makes Elly De La Cruz Decision After 148 Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Sep 15, 2025 4:29 PM ET

The Cincinnati Reds remain in the hunt for a postseason berth entering Monday with a 2.5-game deficit for the final NL wild card spot. However, the Reds have lost three straight games, failing to gain ground, and time is running out.

A huge reason for the team’s offensive production has been electric shortstop Elly De La Cruz. De La Cruz was selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game this year and continues to operate as one of the team’s most exciting talents.

The 23-year-old has struggled, though, in the most crucial stretch for Cincinnati, posting a .227 batting average, .280 on-base percentage, .609 OPS and just one home run in 52 games since the All-Star Break. This is especially unfortunate, as De La Cruz has struggled defensively this year leading MLB in errors (23), so most of his value comes on the offensive end.

In his first year managing the young Reds team and working to propel them into postseason contention, manager Terry Francona made a decision heading into Monday’s series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

After De La Cruz started 148 out of 149 games for the Reds hitting third in the batting order, Francona decided to move De La Cruz down to seventh for the first time all season.

First of three in St. Louis.

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— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 15, 2025

De La Cruz has appeared in every game for the Reds this year and pinch-hit in the lone appearance he did not hit third, but in every other game he’s been in the heart of the order.
The move hints at a sense of urgency for the Reds, as Francona clearly wants to stop the bleeding even if it means demoting the face of the franchise.

The Reds have not made the postseason since 2020, and they’re in serious danger of extending that streak to a fifth straight season. De La Cruz will attempt to figure it out as he slides down in the batting order.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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