Elly De La Cruz
Breakdown
Performance
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July 5, 2026
Hits in seven straight
De La Cruz went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and an RBI in Saturday's 8-5 loss to Baltimore.
Analysis
De La Cruz's RBI single in the second inning gave the Reds a 4-3 lead and extended his hit streak to seven games, during which he's gone 10-for-29 (.345). He then stole second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice fly and nearly scored a run on an infield single, but an Orioles challenge overturned a call for the third out. De La Cruz once again showed he's past the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the first three weeks in June -- the stolen base was his third in the last two contests.
July 4, 2026
Running again
De La Cruz went 1-for-3 with two walks and two stolen bases in Friday's 3-0 loss to Baltimore.
Analysis
De La Cruz continued to put a three-week absence due to a hamstring injury behind him, hitting safely in a sixth consecutive game (8-for-25). More promising are the two steals, his first since being activated off the injured list June 23. He's up to 12 stolen bases through 68 games this season.
July 1, 2026
Logs two hits in loss
De La Cruz batted leadoff and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to Milwaukee.
Analysis
Fresh off the injured list a week ago, De La Cruz endured a four-game stretch in which he had one hit in 14 at-bats but has turned that around. He's hit in three straight games since, going 4-for-13 with a home run, a double, two RBI and three runs scored. De La Cruz has served as the leadoff hitter the last four games since Blake Dunn (elbow) landed on the injured list.
June 30, 2026
Crushes homer in loss
De La Cruz went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Monday's 5-3 loss to Milwaukee.
Analysis
After twisting his ankle Sunday, De La Cruz slotted in as the designated hitter Monday and laced a two-run homer off Robert Gasser to left-center field in the fifth inning. It marked the switch hitter's first homer since returning June 23 from a right hamstring strain, with De La Cruz going just 3-for-23 (.130) across six games since re-entering the lineup. In total, the 24-year-old is slashing .267/.337/.486 with 13 homers, 40 RBI, 43 runs and 10 stolen bases across 64 appearances this season.
June 29, 2026
In lineup at DH on Monday
De La Cruz (ankle) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Monday's game against the Brewers.
Analysis
De La Cruz appeared to twist an ankle while running out of the batter's box during a fifth-inning plate appearance in Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Pirates, though he was able to stay in the game after being checked out by a trainer. Manager Terry Francona indicated after the game that De La Cruz's availability for the start of the Reds' four-game series in Milwaukee was in some question, but the 24-year-old apparently made enough progress overnight for the club to feel comfortable with including him in the lineup Monday. De La Cruz will still get a day off from playing defense in an effort to limit the strain on his ankle, clearing the way for Matt McLain to pick up a start at shortstop.