McLain went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 8-4 loss to Miami.
McLain's third-inning double triggered a two-run rally, and then he and Ke'Bryan Hayes hit back-to-back homers in the fifth to give the Reds a 4-3 lead. The double snapped an 0-for-10 stretch for McLain, who's had a disappointing season at the dish with a .197/.296/.352 slash line over 363 plate appearances. It's been a different story in the field, as he extended an errorless streak to 108 games, setting a new franchise record for second basemen.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Logs hit, run in return
Rotowire
McLain started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Pirates.
McLain, who was activated from the 10-day injured list earlier in the day, singled in his first at-bat and scored on an Elly De La Cruz double. The Reds cleared a roster spot for McLain's return by optioning Edwin Arroyo to Triple-A Louisville. That, coupled with Spencer Steer's wrist injury, should create a path to regular plate appearances for McLain as the primary second baseman.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Activated from 10-day IL
Rotowire
The Reds activated McLain (calf) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.
McLain has been sidelined since early July with a left calf strain, but he's been cleared to return to action after going 5-for-17 with a 2:5 BB:K in five rehab games with Triple-A Louisville. The Reds also optioned Edwin Arroyo on Thursday, which could allow McLain to become the club's regular option at second base again. McLain has slashed just .190/.293/.328 with eight homers and 11 stolen bases this season.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Remaining on rehab assignment
Rotowire
Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that McLain (calf) will stay with Triple-A Louisville on a rehab assignment to begin the week, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Though McLain has been on the shelf for less than three weeks due to a left calf strain, the Reds aren't looking to rush him back from his rehab assignment. Francona said he believes that picking up some more at-bats at a lower-pressure environment at Triple-A will be beneficial for McLain, who was hitting just .190/.293/.328 over 309 plate appearances on the season for Cincinnati before going on the injured list. After going 3-for-10 with two doubles through his first three games with Louisville, McLain will likely play in at least a couple more contests in the minors before the Reds consider activating him. Once he's reinstated, McLain could have an avenue to steady playing time after the Reds placed Spencer Steer (wrist) on the IL on Monday.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Gets four ABs in rehab game
Rotowire
McLain (calf) served as the designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in a rehab game for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.
McLain made his second rehab appearance with Louisville, after he started at shortstop and played six innings Friday. He can be activated from the 10-day injured list at any point and could be a candidate to rejoin the Reds prior to the start of a three-game set against the Guardians on Monday.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
McLain (calf) went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.
McLain was assigned to Louisville on Friday to begin a rehab assignment. He started at shortstop and played six innings. The Reds are hopeful he can return this coming week.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Scheduled for batting practice
Rotowire
McLain (calf) will take batting practice on the field in Seattle on Monday, MLB.com reports.
McLain rejoined the Reds on their current road trip, which moved from Colorado this weekend to Seattle for a three-game set against the Mariners beginning Monday. He's been doing on-field work with teammates and can be activated at any point. By bringing McLain on the road with them, the Reds are signalling an imminent return. Possibly for this series in Seattle or the next in St. Louis.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: First career start in center field
Rotowire
McLain will start in center field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game versus the Brewers.
McLain played a frame in center field Tuesday after entering that contest as a pinch hitter, and now he's making his first career start at the position. If he proves capable of handling center field defensively, McLain could draw regular starts there against lefties while Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) are shelved.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Plays inning in center field
Rotowire
McLain entered Tuesday's game as a pinch hitter and played an inning in center field. He went 0-for-1 and caught a line drive in a 7-2 loss to the Brewers.
McLain pinch hit for center fielder TJ Friedl in the eighth inning before finishing the game in the outfield -- his first time playing there as a major-leaguer. Normally an infielder, McLain did pregame drills in the center field the last two days and could get more work in games there as the Reds cope with injuries to Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder).
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Works out in center field
Rotowire
McLain worked out in center field pregame Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
The Reds have lost Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) indefinitely, creating a need for a right-handed-hitting center fielder. McLain has never played the outfield in pro ball, but he was used there extensively in college at UCLA and also saw some action in center field during the Arizona Fall League. Edwin Arroyo has surged past McLain as the Reds' top option at second base versus righties, so McLain proving capable in the outfield would give him another path to playing time.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Taking seat for second straight day
Rotowire
McLain is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.
Cincinnati will go with Elly De La Cruz and Edwin Arroyo as its starters in the middle infield for the second day in a row while McLain is relegated to the bench. Arroyo has generated a modest .644 OPS since his call-up from Triple-A Louisville on June 1 and may need to improve his production to seize control of the everyday job at second base, but McLain hasn't done much to earn himself a larger share of the playing time. After going hitless in eight at-bats over his last three starts, his batting average has dropped to .198 on the season.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Absent from lineup
Rotowire
McLain is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Brewers.
McLain served as the Reds' everyday shortstop while Elly De La Cruz was out, but De La Cruz is back to man the position Tuesday. Though he will likely see the bulk of reps at second base moving forward, McLain will cede the position to Edwin Arroyo on Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Run at SS ending
Rotowire
McLain started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Monday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to Milwaukee.
McLain's started 17 of the last 19 games while operating as the primary fill-in for the injured Elly De La Cruz (hamstring), who is expected to be activated from the injured list Tuesday. De La Cruz's return should put an end to McLain's time as a regular presence in the starting nine. The offensive production he generated during the first week of his residency at shortstop (1.319 OPS over seven games) suggested McLain was moving past a season-opening slump, but he's slipped back since, going 5-for-33 (.152) with a .475 OPS and zero RBI over the last 11 contests.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Goes deep in loss
Rotowire
McLain started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-5 loss to St. Louis.
McLain launched his sixth home run of the season in the fourth inning, giving Cincinnati a 5-3 lead. He's started at shortstop in four of five games since Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) landed on the injured list. Edwin Arroyo started the other contest. De La Cruz has begun light baseball activity and will undergo an MRI checkup June 12, and he appears headed for a relatively brief IL stint.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Filling in at shortstop
Rotowire
McLain started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Kansas City.
McLain has started all three games at shortstop since Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) landed on the injured list. The Reds have slotted McLain in as the No. 9 hitter in all three games, while outfielder JJ Bleday has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the order in place of De La Cruz.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Enters for injured teammate
Rotowire
McLain entered Sunday's game as a pinch runner for the injured Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) and finished the game at shortstop. He went 0-for-1 with a run scored.
McLain has experienced a reduction in playing time as the result of a silent bat. He's batting .038 (1-for-26) over his last eight games, and the Reds are using second base to get at-bats for Spencer Steer, who no longer has an everyday home in the outfield. De La Cruz is set to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of his injury. If he needs to miss time, the door to the starting lineup should reopen for McLain.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Checking out of starting nine
Rotowire
McLain is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
After going 0-for-2 with a walk in Saturday's 5-2 loss, the struggling McLain will head back to the bench for the third time in four games. The Reds will go with Spencer Steer at the keystone over McLain, who appears to be fading into a part-time role.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Handed night off
Rotowire
McLain is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.
The Reds will give Spencer Steer a look at second base while McLain takes a seat after starting in the team's last three games. Though McLain has most commonly been deployed out of the No. 2 spot this season, he's made his last two starts as the Reds' No. 9 hitter while manager Terry Francona has handed the hot-hitting Blake Dunn more opportunities near the top of the lineup. McLain's slide down the batting order coincides with him recording just three hits and striking out 11 times in 34 at-bats over his last eight games.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Moves up order
Rotowire
McLain batted leadoff and went 0-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.
McLain had spent a good portion of May in the bottom third of the order, but a productive 11-game stretch (1.067 OPS, three HR, 10 RBI) prompted manager Terry Francona to put him atop the order the last two games, once each against a lefty and righty. Although it didn't work out Tuesday, the manager has noodled around with various leadoff options after seemingly moving away from the slumping TJ Friedl. McLain was a staple and thrived in the upper third of the order when he first arrived to the big leagues in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Matt McLain: Sitting Saturday
Rotowire
McLain is not in the Reds' starting lineup against the Pirates on Saturday.
McLain has struggled at the plate as of late, having gone 3-for-24 (.125) with one steal, one RBI and 10 strikeouts over his last six games. He'll be on the bench for the start of Saturday's game while Sal Stewart starts at second base and bats in the cleanup spot.
