Cincinnati Reds News: Starting Infielder Indefinitely Out After Surgery

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Wednesday that second baseman Matt McLain underwent surgery on his left shoulder Tuesday and will be out indefinitely.

McLain had successful surgery to repair his labrum and address cartilage damage. The team said that McLain's timeline for return has a "wide range of possibilities" and they "hope to have Matt back this season."

"Yesterday, Matt McLain had successful surgery to address cartilage damage and repair his labrum in his left shoulder," Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "An exact timeline is still TBD as it has a wide range of possibilities. We hope to have Matt back this season."

McLain, 24, was injured during a Spring Training workout on March 18 when he attempted to make a diving catch. He initially thought the injury was minor, but the results were more serious after visiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion in Los Angeles on Monday.

Last season, McLain was a key contributor during his rookie campaign. He helped the Reds to a surprising 82-win season and batted .290 with a .864 OPS. He launched 16 home runs, drove in 50 runs, and stole 14 bases across 89 games. He finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

The news about his injury doesn't come as a surprise. Manager David Bell said last week that McLain would start the season on the injured list. However, the surgery and lack of a timeline for his return are worrisome.

Cincinnati's main option to replace McLain at second base is Jonathan India, who primarily played there from 2021-23. India was expected to take on a utility role entering camp this year while McLain took over the everyday second base job. Santiago Espinal and Spencer Steer are other options.

India was drafted No. 5 overall in 2018 out of Florida and made his major league debut with the Reds in 2021. His rookie season garnered high praise, and he was named Baseball America's Rookie of the Year that season. He is a career .255 hitter with 73 doubles, four triples, 48 home runs and 171 RBIs.

Espinal was acquired by the Reds last week after news spread that McLain was headed to the IL. The 29-year-old was an All-Star in 2022 and has a career slash line of .273/.331/.367.

The Reds are also dealing with injuries to starting center fielder and leadoff man TJ Friedl, who has a fractured right wrist and starting third baseman Noelvi Marte, who is serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Espinal will most likely see time at third base while India takes over at second.