In a concerning turn of events for Cincinnati Reds fans, All-Star player Elly De La Cruz was removed from Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves due to a hamstring injury. The incident occurred at Great American Ball Park during the bottom of the fifth inning.

Details of the Injury

De La Cruz sustained the injury while batting, hitting a line drive between Braves’ outfielders Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. Although he successfully reached first base, he was seen grimacing in pain, prompting immediate removal from the game for medical evaluation. Reds manager Terry Francona confirmed that De La Cruz is scheduled for an MRI to assess the injury’s severity.

Despite the setback, De La Cruz downplayed the injury’s seriousness in a post-game interview, expressing optimism through a translator, “I don’t believe it is something bad.” The 24-year-old has been a consistent presence for the Reds this season, maintaining a .232 batting average with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs.

Impact on the Team

Matt McLain replaced De La Cruz as a pinch-runner and took over at shortstop for the remainder of the game. The Reds managed to secure a 6-4 victory over the Braves, avoiding a series sweep after losing the previous two games. The team is set to face the Kansas City Royals next, but it remains uncertain if De La Cruz will participate.

This development adds to the Reds’ injury concerns, as they navigate the season with key players sidelined. Fans and the team alike will be hoping for a swift recovery for De La Cruz, whose performance has been pivotal for Cincinnati’s lineup.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.