Reds get positive news on Elly De La Cruz’s status

The Cincinnati Reds have been without their two-time All-Star Elly De La Cruz in June, but that will change on Tuesday. 

According to manager Terry Francona, per Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19, De La Cruz will be activated from the injured list after dealing with a right hamstring strain. Francona told the media on Saturday that De La Cruz said he wanted to come back that day (Saturday), but was joking with his skipper. 

“He wanted to come back today,” Reds manager Terry Francona said on Saturday before Cincinnati’s 10-2 win over the Yankees. “I think he was joking, but it was kind of cool. I got a text after the game, and it goes, ‘I’ll be there tomorrow.’”

Infielder Matt McLain has filled in for De La Cruz at shortstop and has done an okay job. McLain has produced a -1 defensive runs saved in 21 games at shortstop, while also doing well at the plate — McLain is batting .235 with a .851 OPS and three home runs. 

Elly De La Cruz's return will help him further his All-Star case

De La Cruz, missing so much time due to his hamstring strain, has not hurt his chances to make his third All-Star team. In the second round of voting released on Monday, the 24-year-old is ranked third (879,876) behind Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (1,192,774) and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (1,161,221). 

Abrams is the favorite to be the starting shortstop in the National League, but would've had a tougher time in the voting if De La Cruz were healthy. Despite missing 21 days, De La Cruz is third in batting average for shortstops (.280), second in slugging percentage (.509), second in OPS (.855) and third in home runs (12). 

Returning Tuesday, De La Cruz will have a chance to leapfrog Betts and Abrams, with roughly three weeks to sway fans' thoughts.