The Cincinnati Reds are hoping to make a late push for the playoffs with only six games to play.
They enter the week 2.5 games back of a Wild Card spot and need help to get where they want to go.
Cincinnati was hoping that star second baseman Matt McLain would be back from an oblique injury at some point this week.
But it appears that will no longer happen.
According to Talkin’ Baseball, McLain re-aggravated his oblique injury during a rehab assignment.
His regular season will now be over.
Matt McLain re-aggravated his oblique injury during his rehab stint and is out for the remainder of the regular season, per @CharlieG__ pic.twitter.com/24sPkyHFgs
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 26, 2023
If the Reds happen to make the playoffs there is a slight chance McLain could play at some point.
Yet, this setback will certainly hurt the Reds.
Ever since McLain went out the Reds have struggled.
That is not all due to his absence but it certainly plays a part.
If not for so many great rookies this year, McLain would be in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
On the season he batted .290 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI in 89 games.
McLain has established himself as a cornerstone player of the Reds’ future.
It would not be a surprise to see him improve in many areas next year.
Even if the Reds do not make the playoffs, they have a future to be excited about.
McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Andrew Abbott, and Hunter Greene are just a few of their young players who have excelled this year.
The Reds are a team on the way, and being a playoff team next year should be the expectation.
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