Cincinnati Reds' slumping Elly De La Cruz benched for crucial game vs. Minnesota Twins
Elly De La Cruz, the long-slumping Cincinnati Reds rookie shortstop, was benched Wednesday for the third time in eight games, first against a right-handed starter for the switch-hitter who has struggled against lefties since his June 6 debut.
"For me it was just another opportunity to really get Elly back on track," manager David Bell said of sitting De La Cruz the day before a scheduled off day. "Two full days.
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"He's doing well. He's handled a lot. He's handling everything," Bell said. "But I do see signs of just fatigue, which is very normal. So giving him those two days off is really important. Even with the importance of today's game, that was the top priority."
After splitting the first two games of the series against the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins, the Reds entered Wednesday one game behind the Chicago Cubs for the final NL wild-card playoff spot with nine games to play. The Miami Marlins also were ahead of the Reds, a half-game behind the Cubs.
Noelvi Marte, the rookie shortstop-turned-third baseman, was in the lineup at short again, with rookie Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third. Both have been among the Reds' best performers this month.
The Reds had Opening Day starter Hunter Greene (4-6, 4.45) on the mound Wednesday facing Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (7-6, 3.67 ERA).
De La Cruz, who has increasingly slumped at the plate and looked even worse in the field this month, is "physically OK," Bell said.
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"But this season and the way he's played and everything he's gone through — a lot of that being success — can really take a toll, especially if you've never gone through it," Bell said. "I'm very positive and encouraged that he can really get recharged. We've had a couple off days for him, but for the most part he went through a long stretch where he was front and center on our team, middle of the lineup."
De La Cruz batted exclusively in the top four spots of the lineup despite two months of struggles until the Reds opened a six-game road trip last week.
"There were reasons for that, and he earned that," Bell said. "And it was all for positive reasons, but I really do believe it would wear any player out. Especially at 21 and never having gone through it before."
He’s hitting just .179 since the All-Star break (.590 OPS) with an increased strikeout rate.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Struggling at plate, worse in field, Elly De La Cruz benched again
