The Cincinnati Reds are itching ever-closer to getting the band back together. Considering it’s their lead singer and lead guitarist that are the pieces they’ve been missing, that’s pretty huge.
MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reported earlier on Monday night that the Reds plan to activate shortstop Elly De La Cruz on Tuesday following a rehab stint spent with AAA Louisville. Despite having missed some three weeks with a right hamstring injury, Elly’s 2.1 bWAR still ranks second overall on the Reds, his .855
OPS in 257 PA a sorely missed impact bat in the heart of the team’s order.
Meanwhile, the guy who’s been their ace and All Star for the better part of three years is also on the cusp of a return to the big leagues. I only hesitate to call Hunter Greene ‘Cincinnati’s ace’ given the co-brilliance we’ve seen so far this year from Chase Burns, but Greene – when healthy – remains one of the absolute most elite starting pitchers on the planet. That said, the AAA Louisville Bats announced on Monday evening that Greene would start for them tomorrow (Tuesday) at Slugger Field.
Greene got work in at Cincinnati’s complex in Arizona and impressed for the ACL Reds previously in his rehab from preseason elbow surgery. That he’s now slated to throw at the highest levels of the minors is indicative of how close he is to making his return to the Cincinnati rotation, of course.
Maybe, just maybe, the Reds will get to run out their full squad this season before it’s too late after all.
