McLain headed to the IL for Reds
The Cincinnati Reds will have another key player unavailable for the March 28 season opener after second baseman Matt McLain injured his left, non-throwing shoulder.
Reds manager David Bell told reporters Wednesday that all options, including surgery, were under consideration by the club for treatment.
Bell confirmed that McLain, who underwent an MRI, will open the season on the injured list. Bell added that they won't have a clearer picture regarding McLain's status until he gets a second opinion.
The 24-year-old McLain, who's coming off a promising rookie season, reported soreness in his left shoulder Monday after diving for a ball during a workout.
The Reds are also starting 2024 without third baseman Noelvi Marte, who will serve an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, and center fielder T.J. Friedl, who broke his right wrist four days ago.
Newcomer Jeimer Candelario and 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India will likely have increased roles in the infield in the meantime.
McLain, out of Irvine's Beckman High and UCLA, was Cincinnati's first-round draft pick in 2021. He batted .290 with 16 home runs, 50 RBIs and 14 steals in 89 games last year in his major league debut, finishing fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He missed three weeks earlier in spring training with a sore right oblique muscle.
• The Reds acquired infielder Santiago Espinal from the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league righthander Chris McElvain.
A four-year veteran who represented Toronto in the 2022 All-Star game, Espinal hit .248 with two home runs and 25 RBIs in 88 games last season.
Espinal, 29, played second base, third base and shortstop last season. He is set to earn $2,725,000 this season.
By trading Espinal, the Blue Jays appear set to include infielder Ernie Clement on their roster to begin the season. Clement, who is out of options, hit .380 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 28 games with the team in 2023.
McElvain, 23, went 5-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 23 games last season, including 19 starts, splitting time between two levels of Class-A.