Full Breakdown
Elly De La Cruz’s Rehab Assignment and Potential Return to the Cincinnati Reds
6/17/2026, 11:04:56 PM
Rehab Assignment Schedule and Activation Window
Elly De La Cruz will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. Manager Terry Francona said he will join Thursday, play five innings at shortstop Friday, serve as DH Saturday, and start a full game Sunday. The earliest activation is June 23 vs. Milwaukee.
Injury Details and Streak Impact
De La Cruz suffered a right hamstring strain on May 31 against Atlanta, ending a 276-game streak, the sixth-longest for a Reds player since 1961. Before the injury he was batting .280 with 12 HR, 37 RBI, 10 SB.
Timeline of Recovery Milestones
The injury occurred May 31. De La Cruz ran bases and took batting practice on June 15. Sources differ on the rehab start: one cites June 19, another notes “Thursday” (June 20). He is slated for game action June 21-23, with possible activation June 23.
Player Performance and Team Standing
De La Cruz’s season line includes a .280 average, 12 homers, 37 RBI, 10 steals. The Reds sit 34-37, last in the NL Central, and have lost seven of ten. Pitching injuries to starter Hunter Greene and reliever Emilio Pagan add to the strain.
Team Statements on Health Priorities
Francona said the club prioritizes De La Cruz’s health over convenience and believes he understands the desire to return. De La Cruz reported his recovery is “getting close.”
Concerns Over Team Performance
Analysts note the Reds’ sub-.500 record and recent seven-loss streak since De La Cruz’s injury, while additional pitcher injuries heighten concerns about roster depth.
Conflicting Dates and Information Gaps
One source lists June 19 as the rehab start, another cites “Thursday” (June 20). No official confirmation has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm getting close,” — Elly De La Cruz, Reds shortstop
- “We’ve talked with him several times because the one thing I don’t want him to ever feel is one, that we’re not listening to him, and two, that we don’t want him to play. We’re dying for him to play,” — Terry Francona, Reds manager
- “I just don’t think you can do what’s right [only] when it’s convenient. That’s the best way. I think down deep, he understands. I just think he wants to play, desperately, and I respect that a lot. He really just wants to play.” — Terry Francona, Reds manager
- “Manager Terry Francona said before Tuesday's game against the New York Mets that De La Cruz expected to join the Bats on Thursday, play five innings at shortstop on Friday, be the designated hitter on Saturday and have a full game at shortstop on Sunday.” — Terry Francona, Reds manager
Upcoming Games and Activation Prospects
The Reds face the Mets on Tuesday; De La Cruz could be activated June 23 vs. Milwaukee pending his Louisville performance.
