Elly De La Cruz Return Date Revealed! | Cincinnati Reds News

Trace Fowler and Nick Kirby discuss the potential return of Elly De La Cruz to the Reds and the upcoming timeline for the Cincinnati shortstop.

----------------------------------

Check out our partners ⤵️

Get 20% off sitewide at Homage with promo code CHATTER at checkout: homage.com/CBOX

Book your appointment at Richter & Phillips today: richterphillips.com/pages/cha...

The Anthony Muñoz 78 Cigar! Get your box today: anthonymunoz.com/anthony-...

Apply today at Sharefax Credit Union: Sharefax.org or call 513-753-2440

Learn more about our friends at QC Kinetix! Call (513) 655-3356 or visit qckinetix.com

It’s OK not to be OK! Need Help? Call or text 988 DAY OR NIGHT or visit mantherapy.org

-----------------------------------

After nearly two weeks without their biggest star, the Cincinnati Reds finally received the encouraging update they have been waiting for regarding Elly De La Cruz. The dynamic shortstop is officially nearing a rehab assignment as he continues progressing from the right hamstring strain that landed him on the injured list earlier this month.

De La Cruz took a significant step forward on Monday at Great American Ball Park, testing his hamstring by running the bases under the supervision of Reds staff. According to manager Terry Francona, the organization has been pleased with how the 24-year-old has responded throughout the recovery process, and if everything continues trending in the right direction, De La Cruz could begin a minor league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend.

Francona told reporters that the expectation is for De La Cruz to repeat the same baserunning test again on Tuesday. If there are no setbacks, the Reds will then finalize plans for where he will begin his rehab assignment. While nothing has officially been confirmed, Triple-A affiliate Louisville Bats appears to be the most likely destination. The Bats are currently on the road, and because Triple-A provides the highest level of competition before returning to the majors, it makes the most sense from a baseball standpoint.

De La Cruz has been sidelined since June 1 after suffering the hamstring injury while running out a hit against the Atlanta Braves on May 31. The injury forced him to leave the game early and immediately created concern given how valuable he has become to Cincinnati’s lineup. It also snapped an impressive streak of 276 consecutive games played, one of the longest active streaks in franchise history and a testament to how durable he had been since becoming a full-time major leaguer.

Before the injury, De La Cruz was once again proving why he is one of the most electric young stars in Major League Baseball. Through the first two months of the season, he was hitting .280 while continuing to impact games with his elite speed, power, and defensive versatility. Few players in baseball can change the outcome of a game the way De La Cruz can, whether it’s launching a ball into the seats, stealing a base, or making a highlight-reel defensive play in the infield.

The Reds offense has clearly missed his presence during this stretch. Cincinnati has battled inconsistency for much of the last several weeks, particularly in high-leverage offensive situations, and getting De La Cruz back into the lineup would immediately change the dynamic of the team. His ability to create pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses simply adds another dimension that very few players in baseball can replicate.

One notable detail throughout this recovery process has been De La Cruz’s eagerness to return. According to Francona, the young superstar has pushed repeatedly to skip a rehab assignment entirely and return straight to the major league roster. However, the Reds have remained cautious, prioritizing the long-term health of one of the organization’s most valuable players over rushing him back before he is fully ready.

Francona has emphasized that while everyone inside the organization wants De La Cruz back as quickly as possible, the team understands how dangerous hamstring injuries can be if a player returns too early. For a player like De La Cruz, whose game is built around explosive speed and athleticism, making sure the injury is completely healed is especially important.

The timing of this update could not be better for Cincinnati. The Reds are trying to regain momentum and stay in the playoff conversation as the season moves deeper into June. Getting their franchise star back in the lineup would provide a massive boost not only offensively, but also emotionally for a clubhouse that has been fighting through adversity.

For now, Tuesday’s baserunning test stands as the final major hurdle before the next phase of recovery begins.

If all goes according to plan, Reds fans could soon see Elly De La Cruz in a Louisville Bats uniform for a brief rehab stint this weekend before making his long-awaited return to Cincinnati sometime next week time.