Cincinnati Reds' Youngster Details His Injury Recovery Heading Into 2024 Season

With spring training around the corner, Cincinnati Reds' infielder Matt McLain says he's fully recovered from an oblique injury that ended his 2023 season. He also says he's swinging a bat again and is ready for 2024.

After missing the end of the 2023 season with an oblique injury, Cincinnati Reds' youngster Matt McLain says he's fully ready heading into spring training 2024.

Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com:

“I’m back to 100%," he said. "I’ve been swinging and stuff. I think we’ve gotten up to 100 swings at this point in the offseason. I’m full-go. I’m 100%, doing everything. It’s going well.”

McLain is working on some hitting adjustments that he hopes to take with him to Spring Training next month. He plans on being an early arrival, especially since he's already living in Arizona.

That's certainly great news for the Reds, who will be one of the most hyped teams in baseball heading into 2024. In addition to McLain, they have stud position players all over the diamond, including Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jonathan India, Noelvi Marte and Jeimer Candelario.

McLain was one of several exciting prospects to debut for the Reds during the 2023 season and he did not disappoint, hitting .290 over 365 at-bats. He also popped 16 homers and looks ready to help anchor down the middle of the Reds' infield for years to come.

McLain is a former first-round pick of the Reds in the 2021 draft out of UCLA. He drove in 50 runs and stole 14 bases as well in 2023. He also posted a .357 on-base percentage.

Cincinnati missed the playoffs after finishing 82-80 and is looking for its first playoff appearance since the abbreviated 2020 season.

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