Wednesday has not been a great day for the upstart Cincinnati Reds as they embark on what many expect to be a successful 2024 MLB season.
It started with news that former top-four prospect Matt McLain is set to get a second opinion on a left shoulder injury. Manager David Bell told reporters that the infielder is out for at least Opening Day against the Washington Nationals.
There is now even more unfortunate news surrounding the Reds. The team’s No. 3 prospect heading into the season, shortstop Edwin Arroyo, will miss the entire 2024 campaign after having left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.
The McLain injury will impact Cincinnati’s big league club more. The infielder hit .290 with 16 homers, 50 RBI and an .864 OPS en route to finishing fifth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting a season ago.
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After finishing last season with a surprising 82-80 record, a lot is expected of the Reds in 2024. They have core pieces in the lineup such as McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer.
As for Arroyo, he’s currently MLB’s 67th-best overall prospect. The Puerto Rico native was hoping to make the ascension to Triple-A ball this season. Obviously, that’s not going to happen.