Why David Bell won't rule out Elly De La Cruz playing 162 games for Cincinnati Reds – yet
PHOENIX, Arizona – And then there was one.
A big one.
When left fielder Spencer Steer got a scheduled day off Tuesday in Arizona, it meant only shortstop Elly De La Cruz has played every game for the Cincinnati Reds so far this season.
With no similar, scheduled day off in sight. At least not yet for the majors’ stolen base leader, who says he wants to play every game this season.
Is manager David Bell going to let him?
“We’ll have to see,” Bell said. “I don’t know. I’m going to look to do the right thing for Elly, too, of course.”
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De La Cruz and Steer have been the Reds’ two most productive hitters this season, which has become even more important during a team slump in recent weeks.
“It’s not easy taking (Steer) out of the lineup,” Bell said.
More difficult yet when it comes to De La Cruz, the Reds’ leading All-Star candidate seven weeks in to the season.
“The one goal I’ve heard Elly talk about is playing 162 games,” said Bell, who’s aware of the potential wear and tear that entails, especially for a shortstop and a player who runs as much as he does on the bases.
Bell seems to like the attitude.
“I think that’s a great goal because you have to do a lot of things really well. No. 1 is to really take care of yourself,” Bell said. “There’s not a lot of case studies of how much (wear it creates) – how fast he is; hopefully he’s going to be on base a lot, and playing that position.
“I do think it’s an attitude,” Bell said, “because we’ve seen a lot of great players play taxing positions and be on base a lot and play every day or very close to it. So I do think it’s possible. Reading what’s ahead and trying to be proactive, but at the same time not protecting too much, is kind of my role in it.”
The only thing Bell seems to be sure about when it comes to De La Cruz’s goal: “If he comes close to accomplishing that, great things will happen.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Can Cincinnati Reds SS Elly De La Cruz really play all 162 games?
