The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly one step closer to getting their All-Star shortstop back.
Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19 reported that Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment this weekend.
De La Cruz has been on the IL since June 1 with a right hamstring strain. It's also the first time De La Cruz has been on the IL in his big-league career, ending a streak of 276 consecutive games played.
The 24-year-old suffered his injury when he came up limping around first base after lining a base hit against the Atlanta Braves on May 31. He exited the game shortly after and was put on the shelf the next day.
Prior to his injury, De La Cruz was stringing together a stellar season for Cincinnati. In 58 games, the two-time All-Star is slashing .280/.346/.509 with 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 13 doubles, two triples, 10 stolen bases and an OPS of .855.
The Reds have certainly missed De La Cruz's production in their lineup over the last couple of weeks. They have lost eight out of their last 10 entering Monday and are in last place in the National League Central at 33-37. The Reds are also the only team in that division with a losing record.
Cincinnati's offense, in particular, has also struggled since losing its starting shortstop. The Reds have been held to three runs or fewer six times this month, including tallying just seven runs total during their three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend.
The Reds could now potentially see De La Cruz return to their starting lineup in the coming weeks and help them climb back into the Wild Card race in the National League. They begin a three-game series against the New York Mets tonight.
