Reds
It was just a spring game. One game. But Sunday was a positive for Matt McLain.
And when you have the 2025 season McLain had, you'll take a positive in any way, shape or form you can get.
He opened Cactus League play with two hits, a double, scored a run and drove in two. He drove the ball the other way.
It's a start....hopefully on the way back.
Called up in May of 2023, McLain batted .290 with 16 homers in 89 games, finishing 5th in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He looked like the Reds 2B for the next decade. That feels like ages ago.
His 2024 season was wiped out due to a left shoulder injury suffered in spring training that required surgery.
His 2025 season was a disaster. He hit. 220 with a .643 OPS.
The Reds gave him the rope to play in 147 games and get 577 plate appearances. His roster status never appeared to be in jeopardy. Terry Francona admitted he was ‘stubborn’ in sticking with Matt, because he believed so much in him.
Francona tried everything…..trying McLain in the 2nd spot in the order (66 starts) and in the 9th spot (51 starts).
Other than June, when he hit .287, he never hit. Including .159 in April, .194 in May, and .205 in September.
He did contribute 15 homers (T-3rd), drove in 50 and swiped 18 bases. He was 3rd in runs (77) and 4th walks (55). And he provided solid defense.
But the Reds need more. Now a full year removed from his shoulder surgery, how much more can he offer?
The Reds have basically pushed their chips to the middle on McLain. Gavin Lux is gone. Santiago Espinal is gone.
But how long is the leash if he struggles in 2026? What’s Plan B? Sal Stewart has played 2B in the minors, and is getting work there this spring. Spencer Steer has handled the position well in the past, but that was two years ago.
But a productive McLain makes everything fit for the Reds, offensively and defensively.
He is a plus fielder, a plus base runner, and does all the little things well. But he’s got to hit to make this offense click.
Will he? That answer likely goes a long way in determining how far the Reds go in 2026.