Cincinnati Reds’ second baseman, Matt McLain, underwent surgery on his left shoulder due to cartilage damage and labrum repair. As a result, he’ll be out of action for an extended period. Reds’ president of baseball operations, Nick Krall, mentioned that the surgery occurred on Tuesday.
The exact duration of his absence is yet to be determined, but the team aims for his return within the current season. McLain, aged 24, sustained the injury during a workout on March 18, a day after his last appearance in a spring training game on March 17.
The injury was disclosed by Reds’ manager David Bell on March 20, coinciding with the acquisition of infielder Santiago Espinal from Toronto by Cincinnati. McLain’s absence adds to the team’s challenges, with third baseman Noelvi Marte serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance and center fielder T.J.
Friedl sidelined due to a broken right wrist. Last season, McLain showcased his prowess with a batting average of .290, along with 16 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases, earning him a fifth-place finish in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. Despite the setbacks, Cincinnati is set to begin their game against Washington on Thursday.