Reds' Matt McLain: Starting in center field in AFL
Rotowire
McLain is starting in center field Tuesday for the Glendale Desert Dogs during Arizona Fall League play, Doug Gray of RedlegNation.com reports.
McLain has played only second base and shortstop in pro ball, and his first five starts in the AFL came at second base. However, the outfield isn't totally foreign to the 25-year-old, as center field was his primary position in his freshman season at UCLA and he also saw some action in the corner outfield spots during college summer ball. Whether the Reds will consider using McLain in the outfield some in 2025 isn't clear, but the versatility can't hurt, especially with the club having other middle-infield options. McLain missed the entire 2024 campaign following shoulder surgery and a subsequent stress reaction in his ribcage, but he's expected to enter spring training healthy.
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Reds' Matt McLain: Reinstated from 60-day injured list
Rotowire
The Reds activated McLain (shoulder/rib) from the 60-day injured list Monday.
It's a paper move reinstating McLain to the 40-man roster, as the infielder's rehab assignment in the Arizona Fall League has technically expired. McLain missed the entire 2024 season following shoulder surgery and later a stress reaction in his rib cage, but he will enter spring training at 100 percent, barring another setback.
Reds' Matt McLain: Will play in instructional league
Rotowire
McLain (shoulder/rib) will play in instructional league games this fall, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
McLain has missed the entire 2024 campaign following shoulder surgery and later a stress reaction in his rib cage, so he will get into some game action this fall to make up for lost time. Barring any setbacks, he should enter spring training with a clean bill of health.
McLain (shoulder/rib) is unlikely to return before the end of the season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Manager David Bell noted Friday that McLain has started swinging a bat again, but there simply aren't enough games left on the schedule for him to realistically rejoin the Reds. The 25-year-old infielder has been held out of action all season while recovering from shoulder surgery and a stress reaction in his rib cage, and it now seems he'll turn his focus to getting ready for spring training.
McLain (shoulder/rib) is pain-free and has been cleared to resume baseball activities, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
McLain's surgically repaired left shoulder no longer appears to be an issue, and he also appears to be past the more recent stress reaction in his rib cage. The Reds have not ruled out a late-season return for McLain, but they'll wait to see how he responds to workouts.
