Reds star 2B McLain undergoes shoulder surgery

ESPN News Services

Mar 27, 2024, 11:45 AM ET

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain underwent surgery Tuesday on his left shoulder and will be out indefinitely.

The Reds announced Wednesday that McLain had successful surgery to repair his labrum and address cartilage damage. The team said there is a “wide range of possibilities” regarding McLain’s timeline to return, adding that they “hope to have Matt back this season.”

Reds manager David Bell said last week that McLain, 24, would start the season the injured list.

McLain, who was Cincinnati’s first-round draft pick in 2021, batted .290 with 16 home runs, 50 RBIs and 14 steals in 89 games last season, finishing fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He missed three weeks in spring training with a sore right oblique muscle.

The Reds are also starting 2024 without third baseman Noelvi Marte, who will serve an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, and center fielder T.J. Friedl, who broke his right wrist this month.

Newcomer Jeimer Candelario and 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India will likely have increased roles in the infield in the meantime. The Reds open the season at home Thursday against Washington.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.