MILWAUKEE — Originally in the lineup on Saturday vs. the Brewers, Reds second baseman Matt McLain was scratched after experiencing a sore left shoulder.
McLain, who missed the entire 2024 season because of left shoulder surgery, doesn’t believe the issue would linger.
“I think it’s going to be good, but I think it needs a day or two,” McLain said. “There’s just some extra inflammation, stiffness that just needs to get out of there. I passed all the tests.”
During Friday’s 20-0 loss to Milwaukee, McLain made an unsuccessful diving attempt on Luis Lara’s fifth-inning single through the right side, landing hard on his shoulder. There was also an awkward play on David Hamilton fielder’s choice grounder in the eighth inning.
Since the surgery during Spring Training 2024, McLain said he’s had “zero problems” with his shoulder but noted he occasionally feels it.
“It happens on dives sometimes,” he said. “But I moved around today, and I think we avoided anything serious.”
The Reds started Juan Brito at second base for McLain. Brito was originally in the lineup at third base for Ke’Bryan Hayes, who wound up starting as well.
“He can actually hit. I think it’s more muscular,” manager Terry Francona said of McLain. “The last thing we want to do now is have him dive again and do something that we can’t let a couple of days fix or a day fix. We’ll monitor him today, see how he’s doing tomorrow and go from there.”