Cincinnati Reds' Jonathan India exits Monday's game vs. Brewers with back tightness
A month from now what happened in the top of the eighth inning Monday night at Great American Ball Park might have set off a Reds Nation Hug Watch.
For now, “Just a little back tightness,” Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said.
That would be the back belonging to second baseman Jonathan India, the No. 3 batter in the Reds’ order Monday night until leaving the game after the home team batted in the seventh.
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Bell said the 2021 Rookie of the Year felt the tightness “a little bit a lot of the day” but insisted he was fine to play — and went 1-for-3 during a 2-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in which the teams combined for just nine hits.
“He probably could have played the whole game, but I wanted to be cautious with it,” Bell said.
“I think the only way I got him to agree to come out was to say, “If we get you out tonight, you can be in there [Tuesday]. He typically fights me really hard, and tonight was no different.”
The Reds, who already have had seven players make major-league debuts this year, are preparing for the most anticipated one yet, when baseball’s No. 1 prospect, shortstop Elly De La Cruz, is promoted.
The anticipated middle infield glut of good young talent already has resulted in India getting pregame work at other positions and led to outside speculation that the Reds might consider trading him at this summer’s deadline — though indications suggest they’re reluctant to do that.
This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Jonathan India injury update: Reds 'wanted to be cautious'
