Spring training is humming, and the Cincinnati Reds have a big piece of the puzzle lining up: second‑baseman Matt McLain is on the brink of finishing his oblique rehab. That’s great news for a club that’s been juggling a carousel of injuries, but it also throws a wrench into the plans for utility player Santiago Espinal, who’s been filling in wherever the club needed a glove.
McLain’s rehab progress
McLain’s oblique strain knocked him out of the 2023 postseason and lingered into the off‑season. The medical staff gave him a cautious timeline, aiming for a full return before opening day. Recent updates say he’s completed his throwing program, can run full speed without pain, and is back to hitting off a tee in bullpen sessions. If all goes well, the Reds could slide him into the everyday second‑base role as early as the first week of March.
Implications for Espinal
Espinal entered the 2023 season as a swing‑man, covering second base, shortstop, and even some outfield corners. He earned a reputation for being a dependable plug‑in, especially when the regulars went down. With McLain back, the Reds face a classic depth dilemma: keep Espinal on the bench as a bench‑warmmer, or push him into a more defined utility slot.
- One scenario sees Espinal start the season as a late‑inning defensive replacement, preserving his bat for pinch‑hit situations.
- Another option is to shift him to the outfield, where the Reds have a few questionable arms, giving him regular at‑bats while still covering infield needs.
- A third possibility is a platoon at second base, pairing McLain’s speed with Espinal’s steadier bat whenever the former needs a rest.
Coach Eric Hosmer has hinted that the team wants to “keep the doors open” for Espinal, meaning he could see a mix of starts and bench duties. The key will be how well McLain stays healthy once the grind of a full season starts. If the oblique decides to act up again, Espinal would instantly spring back into a starting role.
For now, the Reds are watching the final stages of McLain’s conditioning and planning Espinal’s usage in tandem. The next few weeks will likely reveal where each player lands on the depth chart, and whether the Reds can afford to keep both flexible tools in the lineup without sacrificing performance.