Cincinnati Reds All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz left Sunday's 6-4 win against the visiting Atlanta Braves after injuring his right hamstring and will undergo an MRI exam on Monday.
De La Cruz has started all 58 Reds games this season, but that streak figures to be in jeopardy after the team confirmed De La Cruz was removed due to right hamstring tightness.
In the fifth inning, De La Cruz roped a ball that bounced on two hops to the wall in right center. But as he prepared to make the turn at first
base, De La Cruz slowed up and took a few slow steps toward second before retreating to first.
"When I was making the turn to get to first, I felt tightness in my hamstring and immediately decided to stop because I felt like if I keep going it could get worse," De La Cruz said through an interpreter.
After a visit from the trainer, De La Cruz was removed from the game in favor of pinch runner Matt McLain.
"He feels like he caught it before it did anything worse," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "Saying that, we're going to get him scanned at 9 in the morning (local time) and we'll know more."
De La Cruz is hopeful of avoiding a stint on the 10-day injured list. The Reds open a home series with the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
"I don't believe it is something bad. I really don't," De La Cruz said. "We'll see what the MRI says (Monday). I don't feel that bad. I don't know if I'll be playing (Monday). I don't like to be out of the game."
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a season worthy of a third consecutive All-Star Game nod. Including his 2-for-2 effort on Sunday that featured a walk and a stolen base, De La Cruz owns a .280/.346/.509 slash line with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs and 10 steals.
De La Cruz played in all 162 games in 2025 and 160 in 2024. He has played in 276 consecutive games.
--Field Level Media
