Reds' De La Cruz Leaves Game With Recurring Quad Issue
Cincinnati shortstop Elly De La Cruz exited Sunday's game against the Cubs with a left quad injury, the same issue that hampered him in the second half of last season. He had doubled and scored before departing, with Matt McLain shifting to shortstop and Ivan Johnson entering at second base. The injury adds to a disappointing 2026 campaign for the Reds, who have already seen De La Cruz miss time earlier this year with a hamstring strain.
De La Cruz was batting 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored when he left Sunday night's contest at Wrigley Field. The quad issue mirrors the one he played through during the latter half of 2025, when his power production fell sharply—18 home runs before the All-Star break versus just four after it. This season has shown a similar but less severe pattern, with six post-break homers and a 13-point drop in batting average.
The injury marks another setback in a frustrating year for the shortstop, who spent nearly all of June on the injured list with a hamstring strain—his first career IL stint. The Reds, who won 20 games by late April, have since unraveled amid bullpen failures and an offense overly dependent on home runs. A brutal September schedule featuring multiple series against playoff contenders looms.
This injury could reshape the Reds' immediate outlook and long-term planning, as De La Cruz is central to their competitive window. Fans and the organization may grow concerned about a recurring physical issue affecting his durability and production ceiling. The timing also matters for the broader baseball audience, since a healthy De La Cruz is one of the sport's most exciting young players, and any extended absence diminishes that appeal during the pennant race.