Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona made a decision involving infielder Matt McLain.
The Cincinnati Reds are looking for a bounce‑back season from infielder Matt McLain, and manager Terry Francona appears ready to give him a big role in the lineup.
McLain is preparing for his third MLB season after being selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft. The 26-year-old infielder quickly emerged as one of the Reds most promising young players after debuting in 2023.
However, his development has not been entirely smooth. McLain missed the entire 2024 season due to a left shoulder injury, which forced him to reset heading into last year.
While he stayed healthy during the 2025 campaign, the results at the plate were not quite the same as his breakout rookie season. However, McLain will still hit near the top of Francona's lineup in 2026.
“Some news from Terry Francona. Matt McLain will hit second,” reported Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19.
The decision raised some eyebrows considering McLain’s struggles last year. After finishing fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2023, expectations were high.
During that impressive rookie season, McLain posted a .290 batting average with a .357 on‑base percentage and .864 OPS. He also hit 16 home runs, drove in 50 RBIs and stole 14 bases across just 89 games, quickly establishing himself as a dynamic offensive presence in the lineup.
Last season, however, things looked very different. McLain finished with a .220 batting average, .300 on‑base percentage and .643 OPS. Despite the drop in production, he still managed to hit 15 home runs, drive in 50 RBIs and steal 18 bases while appearing in 147 games.
That step backward is part of the reason Francona’s decision initially seemed surprising. However, it makes much more sense when considering the kind of spring training McLain has put together.
McLain has arguably been one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball this spring. Through 13 games, he has posted a .553 batting average along with a .605 on‑base percentage and 1.710 OPS. He has also blasted six home runs and driven in 13 RBIs during that stretch.
If that production carries into the regular season, the Reds could be getting a much more dangerous version of McLain than they saw last year.
McLain is expected to play second base while occupying the No. 2 spot in the lineup, a role that should give him plenty of opportunities to spark the offense. The move is also notable because it likely shifts shortstop Elly De La Cruz into the third spot in the order.
With McLain swinging the bat the way he has this spring, Francona clearly believes the young infielder is ready to be a major piece of Cincinnati’s offense again.