The star shortstop hasn't played since suffering a hamstring strain on May 31.
The Cincinnati Reds received the injury update they were hoping for Friday. The challenge now may be convincing Elly De La Cruz to slow down.
According to manager Terry Francona, via Mike Petraglia of CLNS Cincy, follow-up MRI results showed De La Cruz's strained right hamstring is already "about 90 percent healed," a significant step forward for a player who landed on the injured list less than two weeks ago.
The medical update was encouraging. Francona's comments afterward may have been even more revealing.
"I think he almost wills himself," Francona told reporters pregame Friday, via Petraglia. "Certainly he has an opinion. We just need to try to temper that sometimes, because he wants to play so bad."
What followed offered a glimpse into why the Reds remain cautious despite the positive scan.
Francona later revealed that De La Cruz wanted to play Friday. Not begin a rehab assignment, not test things out over the weekend. He wanted to be back on the field.
That urgency has become a recurring theme throughout the shortstop's recovery. MLB.com's Mark Sheldon noted that De La Cruz traveled with the team during its recent road trip, continued lighter workouts and fielding work, and even spent Thursday's off day around the organization's High-A affiliate in Dayton.
Francona joked that De La Cruz actually wanted to work out there as well.
"We told him if he was going to work out, he had to come in here so we could keep an eye on him," Francona said, via Sheldon.
The Reds can probably appreciate the mindset. It is also exactly why they have been careful.
De La Cruz has not played since suffering the hamstring strain while running on a hit against Atlanta on May 31. The injury ended a streak of 276 consecutive games played and removed one of baseball's most dynamic players from a lineup that has struggled badly without him.
Entering Friday, Cincinnati had lost seven of its previous nine games since his trip to the injured list.
The timing helps explain why there might be temptation to accelerate the process. Before the injury, De La Cruz was hitting .280 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBIs and 10 stolen bases while putting together what looked like one of the strongest all-around stretches of his career.
Still, the organization appears more focused on the next several months than the next several days.
Francona said the Reds will continue increasing De La Cruz's activity through the weekend before meeting again Sunday to discuss next steps. A rehab assignment remains possible, though the club has not ruled out activating him without one.
With another evaluation scheduled for Sunday, the next decision will belong to the Reds' medical staff and coaching group. De La Cruz has already made his preference clear, the Reds just aren't ready to let him make the final call yet.
