Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain (shoulder), who joined the club in Atlanta on Monday for their series against the Braves to begin more baseball activities, has been able to take ground balls, run the bases, and lift weights. McLain said on Tuesday that he hasn't been cleared to hit or dive, but the plan is still for him is to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Aug. 12. The 24-year-old former first-round pick remains on track to return to the Reds at some point in late August or early September to aid their playoff push, but his fantasy impact in 2024 will likely end up being muted. McLain is only worth stashing on rosters far ahead in the standings. Jonathan India has worked his way into must-roster territory at the keystone in Cincy, batting 89-for-324 (.275) with eight home runs, 40 RBI, 50 runs scored, and nine stolen bases over 93 games.
Matt McLain On Track To Start Rehab Assignment On Aug. 12
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that middle infielder Matt McLain (shoulder) has started swinging and is on track to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Aug. 12. Despite having left-shoulder surgery in late March, McLain and the Reds are holding out hope that he can rejoin them later in the second half of the season. The 24-year-old has a ways to go before he's a realistic option for Cincinnati at the keystone, and the former first-rounder may not be able to return until September, at the earliest. McLain has not been able to play at all this year but hit an impressive .290/.357/.507 with an .864 OPS, 16 home runs, 50 RBI, 14 steals and 65 runs in 89 games in his rookie campaign in 2023. Jonathan India has benefitted from McLain's absence this year and has been a key contributor atop the batting order.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Matt McLain (shoulder) was cleared to resume baseball activities, according to Reds manager David Bell. Bell spoke to the media and expressed that the 24-year-old hit specific benchmarks that were set by the team's medical staff and can now take the next steps in his lengthy recovery process. McLain was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 28 after he underwent shoulder surgery. The former 17th overall pick should be expected to return to the diamond in August and could be a valuable asset as we approach the stretch run of the fantasy season. In his rookie season, McLain posted a stellar .290/.357/.507 slash line with 16 long balls and 14 stolen bases, which shows how he can be a potential five-category contributor when on the field.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain's (shoulder) most recent visit with his surgeon went well and he was "exactly where he wants to be," manager David Bell said on Sunday. However, no timelines were revealed for a target return date for McLain's progressions. He was cleared to resume throwing and running six weeks after his late-March shoulder surgery, but McLain hasn't been cleared yet to swing a bat. The Reds are taking it slow with the 24-year-old second-year player, although he's close to swinging a bat. Once he starts swinging, McLain will still have plenty of boxes to check before eventually going on what will be a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment. The first-rounder in 2021 out of UCLA could be ready to rejoin the big-league roster at some point in August, barring any setbacks along the way.
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said before Sunday's game against the visiting Boston Red Sox that second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) is "exactly where he wants to be" in his recovery from left shoulder surgery. McLain is close to resuming swinging, according to Bell, but he remains without a clear timetable for a return to the Reds. With a lengthy ramp-up process and minor-league rehab assignment likely to happen before McLain is an option for fantasy managers, the young infielder is unlikely to be much of a factor until sometime in August. Jonathan India is Cincy's everyday second baseman until McLain is back in the fold, slashing .326/.418/.488 with three home runs, five doubles, 18 RBI, and two stolen bases over his last 27 games, and he's worth a look in all leagues.
Matt McLain Cleared To Resume Throwing And Running
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) has been cleared to resume throwing and running. McLain might be able to start swinging a bat in six weeks, which he said would help determine a clearer timeline for his rehab. Both McLain and manager David Bell have also reaffirmed that the goal is for the infielder to return this season. The 24-year-old former top prospect is recuperating from left shoulder surgery and isn't expected to be available until August at the earliest, and whether or not he's worth stashing in redraft fantasy leagues probably hinges on where you're sitting in the standings as we near the quarter mark of the campaign. Keep an eye on Jonathan India, Cincy's everyday second baseman in McLain's absence, but the former National League Rookie of the Year is slashing a weak .210/.321/.303 with two home runs, 11 RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases over 140 trips to the plate (33 games) this season.
Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain (shoulder) is about a week away from a follow-up appointment with a doctor. The evaluation should allow the Reds to map out a clearer return timetable for McLain, who is recovering from March 26 left shoulder surgery. Manager David Bell said on April 1 that "there is a chance [McLain] gets back this year," so fantasy managers should still be prepared for the 24-year-old former top prospect to be sidelined through the All-Star break. With McLain on the shelf, former National League Rookie of the Year Jonathan India is operating as Cincy's everyday second baseman. India could heat up in a hurry, and over his last nine games, he's batting a strong .344 (11-for-32) with one home run, six RBI, three runs scored, one stolen base, and three walks.
Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said on Wednesday that "Matt McLain had successful surgery to address the cartilage damage and repair his labrum in his left shoulder. An exact timeline is still TBD as it has a wide range of possibilities. We hope to have Matt back this season." Even though the injury is to his left (non-throwing) shoulder, there's a fairly good chance we won't see the 24-year-old until the 2025 season, despite Krall's words. It's a tough blow for McLain after a very impressive debut in the big leagues for Cincy last year. Don't feel compelled to hang onto McLain in fantasy leagues if you have more pressing needs. McLain's injury now opens up the door for former National League Rookie of the Year, Jonathan India, to be the Reds' primary second baseman in 2024.
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that that second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) won't be ready for Opening Day on March 28. "I think it's safe to say he's not going to be ready to start the season," Bell said. After being scratched from a Cactus League game on Monday due to left-shoulder soreness, McLain is going for a second opinion, and the team hasn't ruled out the possibility that he might need surgery. The 24-year-old second-year player went from being fine to potentially missing extended time to begin the 2024 because of his shoulder injury. The former 17th overall pick in 2021 out of UCLA was set to open his sophomore year as Cincy's primary second baseman after slashing .290/.357/.507 with an .864 OPS, 16 homer, 50 RBI and 14 steals in 365 at-bats in his rookie season, but now Jonathan India will open the year as the Reds' second baseman.
Matt McLain Undergoes MRI, Availability For Opening Day In Question
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) had an MRI exam on his left shoulder after recently being scratched from a Cactus League game. The team is looking at all of their options and next steps, and Bell said he's unsure if McLain would start the year on the active roster or on the injured list. One of the options for McLain is surgery. A report surfaced on Tuesday night that the 24-year-old would be fine, but this contradicts that news. It's unclear how long McLain might be out if he needs surgery, but fantasy managers considering him as a middle-infield option in mixed leagues after his strong rookie year in 2023 may now want to reconsider. If McLain opens the year on the IL, Jonathan India would serve as Cincy's primary second baseman.
