Cincinnati Reds second baseman has been placed on injured list due to a strained left hamstring. The team is optimistic the injury will heal quickly with some rest.
Manager Terry Francona said he had been dealing with discomfort in the leg recently, and the team decided it was best to rest him now rather than risk further injury. “There’s still a lot of baseball to be played, so it didn’t make much sense to try and push through this,” Francona said ahead of the second game in their series against the San Francisco Giants.
Matt McLain had a .214 batting average with three home runs and five RBIs in eight games, starting seven times at second base. His absence stretches the Reds’ infield depth, especially since Spencer Steer is currently limited to designated hitter duties due to a sore throwing shoulder. Steer, who started the season on the IL with a lingering shoulder issue, received a cortisone shot during spring training on March 1.
Gavin Lux was set to take over at second base for McLain on Tuesday.
In other roster moves, the Reds optioned right-handed pitcher Carson Spiers to Triple-A Louisville and recalled infielder Noelvi Marte and outfielder Will Benson from Louisville.