Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz spent the second half of 2025 dealing with a left quad injury.
The Cincinnati Reds made several roster adjustments this offseason as they prepare for a run at contention in 2026, but one of the biggest storylines heading into spring training has been the health of their most electrifying player.
After a breakout start to his young career, shortstop Elly De La Cruz encountered injury trouble late last season that derailed one of the most thrilling offensive campaigns in recent Reds history.
De La Cruz’s talent was on full display for much of 2025. In 162 games, he hit .264 with a .336 on‑base percentage and a .440 slugging percentage. He smacked 22 home runs, drove in 86 runs and stole 37 bases, becoming one of the rare players capable of combining power and elite speed in the same season.
Those numbers placed him among the most dynamic position players in the league and made him a centerpiece of Cincinnati’s lineup.
However, the second half of last season did not go according to plan. After sustaining a quad injury in late July, De La Cruz’s production slipped noticeably. His strikeout rate climbed, his power numbers declined and he struggled to find consistency at the plate as he worked his way back from the injury.
The combination of lingering discomfort and mechanical adjustments contributed to a second‑half performance that fell short of the breakout first impression he had established earlier in the year.
This offseason, both the organization and its fans have been watching closely for updates on his health. A key moment arrived this week as Cincinnati’s manager addressed De La Cruz’s status following his return to camp.
“Francona says Elly (quad) tested very well coming in. Injury is in the rearview mirror,” reported Charlie Clifford of WLWT. The update was significant because it represented one of the first clear assessments from the coaching staff that De La Cruz’s offseason recovery has progressed as hoped.
The quad injury was a pivotal moment last season, and anything that slows a player of De La Cruz’s athletic profile raises questions about timing, mobility and confidence. Early testing results suggesting that the injury is behind him offer a boost to the team’s outlook, especially given how central he is to the Reds’ offensive identity.
For Cincinnati, having a fully healthy De La Cruz this spring and into Opening Day would be a major step forward. De La Cruz’s 2026 performance could be one of the defining storylines of the Reds’ campaign, especially if he resumes the elite level of play he showed earlier in 2025.