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Reds Spring Debut: De La Cruz, Bleday, McLain Shine
23 Feb
Summary
- Elly De La Cruz recorded three hard-hit balls in his spring debut.
- JJ Bleday is competing for a roster spot after signing a one-year deal.
- Matt McLain seeks to rebound offensively after a tough 2025 season.
The Cincinnati Reds opened their 2026 Spring Training with a 14-8 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Despite the score, the game highlighted encouraging performances from several key players.
Elly De La Cruz made a notable 2026 Spring Training debut, hitting three hard-contact balls. His efforts included a 106.4 mph double and a 112.5 mph double that drove in two runs. If he remains healthy, De La Cruz is poised for a significant season.
Another standout was JJ Bleday, who is vying for a roster spot after signing a one-year, $1.4 million contract. He contributed an early double that scored two runs and later hit a single. With 34 home runs over his last two seasons, Bleday offers potential power for the Reds.
Matt McLain also impressed in his 2026 Spring Training debut. He recorded hard-hit grounders and a double in the third inning. McLain, who struggled offensively in 2025, aims to bounce back and provide a much-needed boost to the Reds' offense if he can achieve even average production.
