By admin 
The Cincinnati Reds received encouraging news about Elly De La Cruz after the star shortstop exited Sunday’s 7-5 win over the Chicago Cubs with left quad tightness.
De La Cruz appeared to aggravate the issue while hustling down the first-base line on an infield single in the fifth inning. He remained in the game for two more innings before manager Terry Francona and the coaching staff removed him in the seventh.
The Reds’ manager provided the encouraging update after the game, with Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer sharing Francona’s comments on X.
Tito said there’s a chance Elly plays tomorrow. Don’t think the quad is very bad.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) August 31, 2026
“Tito said there’s a chance Elly plays tomorrow. Don’t think the quad is very bad,” Francona said, according to Goldsmith.
The update should ease some concerns surrounding De La Cruz, particularly because of his history with the same area. He played through a left quad injury for much of the second half of the 2025 season, an issue that affected his power, offensive production and defense.
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De La Cruz had already made an impact before leaving Sunday’s game. He went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored while helping Cincinnati secure a series victory at Wrigley Field.
Entering the contest, the 24-year-old was batting .271 with 21 home runs and 60 RBI during the 2026 season. His combination of power and speed has made him one of the most important pieces of Cincinnati’s lineup.
The Reds will now monitor De La Cruz ahead of their next game against the San Diego Padres. Francona’s comments suggest the team remains optimistic that the injury will not force an extended absence.
For Cincinnati, avoiding another prolonged quad issue will be the priority. De La Cruz’s willingness to play through discomfort showed his competitiveness, but the Reds will need to balance that resilience with caution as the season enters its final month.
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This story was originally published August 31, 2026 at 7:32 AM.