De La Cruz (quadriceps) will start at designated hitter and bat second in Monday's game versus the Padres.
De La Cruz departed Sunday's win over the Cubs due to left quad tightness, which manager Terry Francona clarified Monday was a "small strain," per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. While De La Cruz plans to play through the issue, it could tamp down his aggressiveness on the basepaths, though it shouldn't affect him in the batter's box.