Reds activate Elly De La Cruz from injured list; Pagán progressing in rehab

The Cincinnati Reds activated shortstop Elly De La Cruz from the injured list on Tuesday morning, ending a 19-game absence caused by a strained right hamstring suffered on May 31 against the Atlanta Braves. De La Cruz completed a three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville over the weekend, going 2-for-8 with a home run and two RBIs, including a home run in his first rehab start on Friday that prompted him to text manager Terry Francona, "Be there tomorrow." However, the Reds opted for a cautious reinstatement rather than rushing his return.

In a corresponding move, the Reds optioned outfielder Will Benson to Triple-A Louisville. De La Cruz's activation marks the end of a 276-game consecutive games played streak, the sixth-longest in Reds franchise history since 1961. Before his injury, the shortstop was batting .280 with an .855 OPS and 12 home runs in 58 games, his first time on the injured list in his major league career.

Closer Emilio Pagán is also making significant progress in his recovery from a left hamstring strain suffered on May 5. On Monday, Pagán threw his second live batting practice session, this time at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, facing De La Cruz, Will Benson, and Dane Myers with full intensity—even having his walk-out song played as he took the mound. Pagán threw 25 pitches, with De La Cruz hitting a ball hard into right field during their eight-pitch battle. Pagán praised the outing, saying his command and stuff improved compared to his Friday session at Yankee Stadium, particularly with his breaking ball and splitter.

Pagán, 35, signed a two-year, $20 million free agent contract with Cincinnati and had a 2.88 ERA with 32 saves last season, though he carries a 6.43 ERA with six saves in nine chances this season. If he continues to feel good, Pagán is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Louisville on Thursday, with the possibility it could be just one game before his return. The Reds also activated high-leverage reliever Pierce Johnson from the injured list after he missed three weeks with right elbow inflammation.

Cincinnati, currently 37-39 and in last place in the NL Central, recently took two of three games from the Yankees in New York over the weekend.