One of the most consequential series of roster moves of the season for the Cincinnati Reds was set in motion when the team announced Elly De La Cruz was headed for the injured list (IL) and highly rated prospect Edwin Arroyo was called up from Triple-A Louisville.
The Reds on June 1 announced De La Cruz would go on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain, joining a growing list of consequential players to go on the IL. The injury stemmed from his fifth-inning exit in a May 31 game against the Atlanta Braves where De La Cruz pulled out of a sprint and appeared uncomfortable as he rounded first base after lining a ball for what would have been an extra-base hit.
Arroyo, a career shortstop who was playing other positions at Louisville to increase his pathways for a call-up, was brought into the fold after weeks of speculation about when he might join the organization’s 26-man big league roster.
Arroyo could be a big part of the Reds’ future, and the organization could learn a lot about that now. But the idea of a call-up this season for Arroyo in the eyes of some was that he’d supplement what De La Cruz offers, not play in place of him due to injury complications.
Reds general manager Brad Meador told The Enquirer that Arroyo was most prepared to play shortstop, so the organization will at least have a chance to further evaluate him there.
Arroyo’s bat tool looks promising, too. In 52 games with Triple-A Louisville, he was hitting .323 with a .945 OPS. But he’s being asked to fill some big shoes as De La Cruz was a proven commodity offensively and making great leaps forward with his defense.
De La Cruz, whose consecutive streak of games played will end June 1 at 276 games, was hitting .280 with 12 home runs.
Just since May 29, the Reds have lost De La Cruz to injury, plus two back-end, leverage relievers in Graham Ashcraft and Pierce Johnson.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elly De La Cruz headed to the IL, Edwin Arroyo called up by Reds
Reporting by Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
