Infielder Matt McLain of the Cincinnati Reds recently underwent surgery to repair a labrum injury and damaged cartilage in his left shoulder, according to president of baseball operations Nick Krall. The announcement was made this morning via Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. While a specific timeline for his recovery has not been determined, the Reds are hopeful that McLain will be able to make a return to the roster at some point during the ongoing season.

McLain, who was the 17th overall draft pick in 2021, made his major league debut last year and made an immediate impact, establishing himself as a vital player for the Reds. In his 89 games and 403 plate appearances, he showcased an impressive slash line of .290/.357/.507 with 16 home runs, 23 doubles, four triples, and a successful 14-for-19 stolen base conversion rate. Despite his strikeout and walk rates falling below average, McLain's outstanding performance made him a well above-average performer.

During the 2023 season, McLain split his time between the middle infield spots for the Reds. However, injuries to fellow top prospect Elly De La Cruz allowed him to take on a more significant role. With De La Cruz now healthy in 2024, McLain was expected to be the everyday second baseman, resulting in Jonathan India moving into a utility role. However, McLain's injury has forced a reevaluation of the team's plans.

Given the injury to McLain and the 80-game suspension of Noelvi Marte due to a PED violation, the Reds' infield depth has been significantly impacted. The acquisition of infielder Santiago Espinal suggests that the team was already preparing for such a scenario. The Reds now face the challenge of reshuffling their lineup. While India is likely to see more time at second base, the addition of Espinal will provide the team with a superior defensive option and flexibility in various positions such as first base, designated hitter, or even left field.

Jeimer Candelario, who was signed to a three-year, $45 million deal, was initially seen as a potentially redundant addition given the team's young infield talent. However, given the changing circumstances, Candelario now becomes an integral piece of the Reds' infield mix. With De La Cruz at shortstop, Espinal/India at second base, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base, the Reds have built a formidable infield lineup. Versatile player Spencer Steer is expected to function primarily as the team's left fielder, while also having the ability to back up in the infield positions.

Despite his injury setback, the 24-year-old McLain will continue to accumulate major league service time and receive pay while rehabbing his shoulder on the injured list. Ending the 2023 season with 140 days of service, McLain still has six full seasons under Reds' control. It is highly likely that he will become a Super Two player after the 2025 season, making him eligible for arbitration four times rather than three. Nonetheless, the Reds have him secured until the 2029 campaign.

The Reds will now await McLain's recovery progress and hope for a swift return, as they strive to maintain their competitive edge in the ongoing season.