Matt Mclain
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
Jun 25 2025McLain batted second and went 0-for-5 with a run scored in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain was moved up to second in the order the previous two games against right-handers and was used in that same spot against a lefty Tuesday. It appears a recent surge has locked him in as the second hitter against pitchers of either handedness. Prior to his promotion up the batting order, McLain had batted .327 with a .917 OPS over 16 contests.
Jun 23 2025McLain went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over St. Louis. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain gave the Reds an early lead when he belted a first-inning home run, which extended his hit streak to 10 games. A season-opening slump prompted manager Terry Francona to drop McLain to eighth or ninth in the order over the last several weeks, but he moved into the No. 2 spot Sunday for just the second time since mid-May. In his last 15 games, McLain has posted a .340/.421/.560 line with three home runs and eight RBI, and his continued surge at the plate could result in him settling into the two hole on a more consistent basis.
Jun 22 2025McLain went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain continued his strong June, extending his hitting streak to nine games while notching his first three-hit performance of the season. The 25-year-old has struggled overall in 2025, slashing just .209/.302/.340 with 15 extra-base hits and 26 RBI through 68 games. However, he appears to be rounding into form and showing flashes of his 2023 self, when he posted a .290/.357/.507 line with 43 extra-base hits and 50 RBI in only 89 games.
Jun 19 2025McLain went 1-for-2 with an RBI in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain has been a pretty big disappointment with a .619 OPS this season, but he's slowly beginning to find a rhythm recently. The 25-year-old second baseman is slashing .293/.396/.463 with two home runs, two doubles and eight RBI over his last 48 plate appearances (13 games). McLain lost all of last season due to injury and has consistently hit ninth for over a month, but perhaps manager Terry Francona will consider moving the middle infielder back up the order if he continues to swing a hot bat.
Jun 15 2025McLain went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 11-1 win over the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain's three-run blast in the eighth inning provided further cushion for Cincinnati in the blowout win. Even though he's gone a respectable 7-for-26 at the plate over his last eight games, McLain is still batting just .186 on the season on the heels of a rough April and May. He continues to bat ninth in the order on a regular basis, though he'll elevate to the No. 2 spot for Sunday's series finale while the Tigers send left-handed opener Tyler Holton to the hill.
Jun 8 2025McLain went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain broke a 2-2 tie with what proved to be the game-winning homer off Zac Gallen in the seventh inning. It was the 25-year-old's first long ball since May 15, and he's showing signs of life with five hits and four RBI over his past five games. On the year, he owns a disappointing .197/.283/.318 slash line with seven home runs, 22 RBI, 27 runs scored and 11 steals across 227 plate appearances.
Jun 2 2025McLain is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain will get a routine day off after picking up just one hit over his last five games. Gavin Lux will handle second base in the series opener.
May 28 2025McLain entered Tuesday's game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-1 with an RBI in a 7-2 win over the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain took a seat on the bench to open the game while Gavin Lux filled in at second base. McLain eventually pitch hit for Lux against a lefty, contributing a run-scoring groundout in the eighth inning, and then finished the game at the keystone. McLain's navigated an early-season slump but entered Tuesday's contest on a modest four-game hit streak (5-for-17).
May 26 2025McLain went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 11-8 loss to the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain's hit safely in three straight games and stole his 11th base of the season, showing some value above a line of .184/.287/.319. His season-opening slump prompted manager Terry Francona to drop him from second in the batting order to the lower third, from where McLain's hit .238 over the last 12 games. A .217 expected batting average indicates McLain's experienced bad luck along the way.
May 22 2025McLain went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts over the last four games. On May 13, manager Terry Francona dropped him from second in the order to the lower third, and McLain looked like he was breaking out of a season-opening slump while going 6-for-18, but the pendulum has swung back in the subsequent four contests. Both his strikeout (32.8) and whiff (31.0) percentages have increased relative to his rookie 2023 season. The good news is that McLain makes solid contact when he does hit the ball, with an 11.8 barrel percentage and 47.3 percent hard-hit rate.
May 15 2025McLain went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored during Thursday's 7-1 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain got off to a slow start to 2025, slashing .160/.282/.290 across his first 100 at-bats spanning 28 games, but the 25-year-old seems to be turning a corner. In nine games since, McLain is 8-for-32 (.250) with a pair of home runs, six runs scored and four stolen bases. He's up to six homers on the season.
May 13 2025McLain will start at second base and bat eighth in Tuesday's game versus the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain had occupied either the second spot (28 times) or leadoff spot (three times) in his first 31 starts this season, but with a .596 OPS and 31.7 percent strikeout rate, he's earned a trip to the lower third of the Reds' batting order. Santiago Espinal has been elevated to the two hole for Cincinnati.
May 10 2025McLain went 1-for-3 with a stolen base, two-run home run and two additional runs scored in Saturday's 13-9 win over the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After drawing a bases-loaded walk in the first inning, McLain pushed the Reds' lead to 11 runs in the third with a two-run homer off Logan VanWey. It was McLain's fifth home run of the season, but his first since April 18 against the Orioles. He did manage to extend his on-base streak to 11 games, and over that span he has gone 8-for-40 with six stolen bases, six runs scored, one home run and four RBI.
May 9 2025McLain went 1-for-5 with a stolen base in Thursday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Soon after McLain's return from the injured list in mid-April, his average plummeted below the Mendoza Line and has stayed there. However, he is making the most of the times he does get on base. Over the last 11 contests, McLain is batting .190 (8-for-42) with six walks and six stolen bases. He's up to nine steals over 30 games on the season, putting him on pace to eclipse the career-high 14 steals he delivered in 2023. McLain's most prolific season in the minors was 2022, when he swiped 27 bags across 103 games at Double-A Chattanooga.
May 5 2025McLain went 1-for-3 with a walk and a steal in Sunday's loss to the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain walked and stole second base for his sixth steal of the year but otherwise had a quiet day along with most of the lineup. He's yet to find any sort of rhythm offensively since returning from a brief IL stint in mid-April and currently sits in the bottom 10 of qualified hitters with a 31 percent strikeout rate.
Apr 18 2025McLain went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and an additional run scored in Friday's 8-3 win over the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain belted a three-run homer off Cade Povich in the fourth inning, and the former came across home plate for an additional run in the sixth inning on an infield single by Austin Hays. It was McLain's fourth home run of the season and first since March 31 against the Rangers. He's slashing .205/.340/.538 with seven walks, two stolen bases, 11 runs scored and nine RBI across 47 plate appearances this season.
Apr 17 2025McLain is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain started the first two games upon his return from the 10-day injured list, but he'll get a breather for Thursday's series finale. Gavin Lux is at second base and batting fifth for the Reds on Thursday.
Apr 16 2025McLain went 0-for-2 with three walks, an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain was activated earlier in the day, returning to second base and second in the order. He scored each time after the first two walks, and then the final free pass came with the bases loaded. After opening the season with six hits in his first 19 at-bats, McLain is hitless over the last 11 and is batting .200.
Apr 15 2025The Reds reinstated McLain (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 25-year-old has been sidelined since April 4 due to the hamstring strain, but he's ready to rejoin the active roster after a brief stay on the injured list. Prior to the injury, McLain had yet to find much consistency with a .214 average through 31 plate appearances, though he flashed his power with three home runs.
Apr 11 2025Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that he's pretty confident McLain (hamstring) will be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain's placement on the IL earlier this week with a left hamstring strain seemed largely precautionary, so it's not terribly surprising that he's trending toward a minimum absence. It appears the infielder will skip a rehab assignment and go directly back into the Reds' lineup once activated.
Apr 8 2025The Reds placed McLain (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a left hamstring strain. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain was reportedly available off the bench Monday, but the Reds will instead err on the side of caution and give him more time to recover while on the injured list. He hasn't played since Saturday, so he'll be eligible to return from the IL in a week. While he's out, Santiago Espinal could benefit from increased playing time at second base, or the Reds could move Gavin Lux to the keystone from left field.
Apr 7 2025McClain (hamstring) is not in the Reds' starting lineup against the Giants on Monday but is available off the bench, Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McClain will be out of the Reds' starting lineup for a fourth consecutive game due to left hamstring soreness, but he could be used as a pinch hitter in Monday's contest. Gavin Lux will start at second base and bat out of the cleanup spot against Giants right-hander Logan Webb.
Apr 6 2025McLain (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The second baseman was scratched from the starting nine the past two days due to hamstring tightness, and while the Reds won't attempt to rush him back for Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee, he could be available off the bench. Santiago Espinal will start at the keystone and bat second in place of McLain.
Apr 5 2025McLain (hamstring) may be held out of the Reds' lineup Sunday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious issue, though he was out of the lineup both Friday and Saturday after being a late scratch. Manager Terry Francona said the Reds will take a cautious approach as they don't want to force him into the lineup when he isn't at full strength, though he didn't go as far as to rule McLain out for Sunday's matchup against the Brewers.
Apr 4 2025McLain was scratched from the lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Brewers due to left hamstring tightness. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Reds haven't offered any information regarding the severity of McLain's injury, though it's apparently enough to keep him out of Friday's contest. He can be viewed as day-to-day for now; meanwhile, his absence will open a spot in the lineup for Spencer Steer to serve as the DH and bat second.
Apr 2 2025McLain went 0-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain reached base on an error then stole second, putting himself in scoring position with no outs. Two swinging strikeouts and a groundout followed, and the Reds lost a second consecutive 1-0 game. The theft was the first of the season for McLain, who had double-digit steals for the Reds in 2023 and at every minor league stop before that.
Mar 31 2025McLain went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, four runs scored and a walk in Monday's win over the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain knocked a two-run homer in the first inning, wasting no time going deep for a third consecutive game. He's now 5-for-16 with four extra-base hits and seven runs scored through four games. McLain posted an impressive .864 OPS as a rookie in 2023 but missed the entire 2024 campaign due to shoulder and rib injuries. It's worth noting that all four of his starts have been at second base after he spent some time in the outfield during the Arizona Fall League in 2024.
Mar 30 2025McLain batted leadoff and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain moved up a spot in the batting order with TJ Friedl getting a day off against a left-hander. McLain hit the second of back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning, when the Reds scored all three of their runs. Other than that, the Cincinnati bats were quiet. The homer was McLain's second in as many days.
Mar 29 2025McLain went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain put the Reds on the board with a homer in the third inning and then scored the tying run in the fifth. After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, the 25-year-old looks healthy and could provide plenty of value hitting second in front of Elly De La Cruz.
Mar 25 2025McLain went 1-for-2 with a walk and a three-run home run in Tuesday's exhibition game against High-A Dayton. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain didn't put up big numbers in the Cactus League this spring (.255/.281/.418) and he acknowledged to Charlie Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine that he's had to shake off some rust. What matters most is that McLain is healthy, as he described himself as being in a "good spot" heading into the 2025 season after missing all of 2024 due to injury. The 25-year-old is tentatively expected to bat second in the order for the Reds against Logan Webb and the Giants on Thursday.
Feb 26 2025McLain went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's spring game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain made his third Cactus League appearance, all coming as the second baseman. He's led off in two of those games, including Wednesday, and could be the leadoff batter against left-handers this season. The lefty-hitting TJ Friedl is expected to lead off against righties.
Feb 16 2025Reds manager Terry Francona said that he hoped that McLain would play just one position -- second base -- in spring training, according to C Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: There were a lot of rumblings that McLain might move to center field this offseason, spurred both by McLain's deployment during the Arizona Fall League and by the acquisition of Gavin Lux, but for now that doesn't seem to be in the Reds' plans.
Jan 7 2025With the Reds trading for Gavin Lux, the likelihood of McLain moving to center field increases, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer suggests. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Reds made sure that McLain took some reps in center field during the Arizona Fall League in October and November. It's possible that Lux could move off second base -- either to the outfield or third base -- so it's not set in stone that McLain will move.
Oct 29 2024McLain is starting in center field Tuesday for the Glendale Desert Dogs during Arizona Fall League play, Doug Gray of RedlegNation.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain has played only second base and shortstop in pro ball, and his first five starts in the AFL came at second base. However, the outfield isn't totally foreign to the 25-year-old, as center field was his primary position in his freshman season at UCLA and he also saw some action in the corner outfield spots during college summer ball. Whether the Reds will consider using McLain in the outfield some in 2025 isn't clear, but the versatility can't hurt, especially with the club having other middle-infield options. McLain missed the entire 2024 campaign following shoulder surgery and a subsequent stress reaction in his ribcage, but he's expected to enter spring training healthy.
Oct 28 2024The Reds activated McLain (shoulder/rib) from the 60-day injured list Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's a paper move reinstating McLain to the 40-man roster, as the infielder's rehab assignment in the Arizona Fall League has technically expired. McLain missed the entire 2024 season following shoulder surgery and later a stress reaction in his rib cage, but he will enter spring training at 100 percent, barring another setback.
Sep 20 2024McLain (shoulder/rib) will play in instructional league games this fall, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain has missed the entire 2024 campaign following shoulder surgery and later a stress reaction in his rib cage, so he will get into some game action this fall to make up for lost time. Barring any setbacks, he should enter spring training with a clean bill of health.
Sep 13 2024Manager David Bell said Friday that it's unlikely McLain (shoulder/rib) returns before the end of the season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Bell noted that McLain has started swinging a bat again, but there simply aren't enough games left on the schedule for him to realistically play in the majors this season. The 25-year-old infielder has been held out of action all season while recovering from shoulder surgery and a stress reaction in his rib cage, and it now seems he'll turn his focus to getting ready for the start of 2025.
Sep 5 2024McLain (shoulder/rib) is pain-free and has been cleared to resume baseball activities, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain's surgically repaired left shoulder no longer appears to be an issue, and he also appears to be past the more recent stress reaction in his rib cage. The Reds have not ruled out a late-season return for McLain, but they'll wait to see how he responds to workouts.
Aug 27 2024Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that McLain (shoulder/rib) is still undergoing tests to determine the cause of the pain in his side, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain encountered a roadblock in his recovery from left shoulder surgery when he went down with a stress reaction in his rib cage earlier this month. He had resumed baseball activities but evidently at some point was shut down again. Bell noted that the testing McLain is going through is nearly finished and the infielder could resume swinging a bat again soon. There could still be time for McLain to make it back before the end of the season, but he can't afford any more setbacks.
Aug 16 2024McLain (shoulder/rib) has been cleared to resume baseball work, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Mclain's recovery from an offseason surgery on his left shoulder was derailed in early August when he sustained a stress reaction in his rib cage. He was temporarily shut down from baseball activities and his rehab assignment scheduled to begin Aug. 12 was cancelled. However, he's back to swinging a bat and participating in other drills. The Reds haven't announced a new date for McLain to start his minor-league rehab assignment, and he shouldn't be expected back until September.
Aug 9 2024Reds manager David Bell told reporters Friday that McLain (shoulder/rib) will not begin his rehab assignment that was scheduled for Monday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain has been on the 60-day injured list since the start of the season while recovering from offseason surgery on his left shoulder. He was cleared for baseball activities in early July and was progressing towards a rehab stint, but the 25-year-old infielder experienced a setback when he suffered a stress reaction in his rib cage. It's unclear whether the setback will simply delay McLain's rehab assignment or keep the 2021 first-round pick out of action for the rest of the year.
Aug 2 2024Reds manager David Bell said Friday that McLain (shoulder) recently suffered a stress reaction in his rib cage, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain had been hoping to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 12 and Bell added Friday that it's possible that happens. The young infielder has been working his way back from left shoulder surgery, which he had back in late March. McLain is hoping to rejoin the Reds at some point before the end of the season.
Jul 10 2024Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that McLain (shoulder) has started swinging a bat and is hoping to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 12, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Certainly, McLain will need to check off numerous boxes before he's cleared for game action, but he's trending well in his recovery from left shoulder surgery, which he had in late March. Given the long layoff, McLain will need an extended rehab assignment before returning from the 60-day injured list, possibly in late August or early September.
Jul 7 2024McLain (shoulder) was cleared Friday to begin baseball activities, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Cincinnati manager David Bell said McLain met some strength markers and can now begin a progression. The Reds are putting together a regimen of activities, and McLain could perform those activities in Arizona or with the team.
Jun 23 2024Manager David Bell indicated this weekend that McLain, who underwent shoulder surgery in late March, should be ready to start swinging a bat soon, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He's pretty close," Bell said. When he starts swinging, there will be a step-by-step progression from dry swinging to tee work to soft toss, etc. "It's a very well-thought out progression that he'll have to take his time with." ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Bell alluded to McLain being ready for action at some point in August but also noted it's a long process between now and then. The 2021 first-rounder hit 16 home runs with an .864 OPS in his rookie season last year over 403 plate appearances, so his return could potentially give the Reds, a team that ranks just 21st in OPS, some extra pop down the stretch.
May 11 2024McLain (shoulder) was cleared Friday to throw and run, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: McLain could start swinging a bat in about six weeks, which the infielder said would help determine a clearer timeline to complete his rehab. Both McLain and manager David Bell reaffirmed the goal for McLain to return this season.
May 2 2024McLain (shoulder) is about a week away from a follow-up appointment that will give the Reds a better idea on his timetable, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: If all goes well with his exam, McLain could start working out at the Reds' spring training facility in Arizona. He doesn't have an official return date yet. "It's still way too early to determine a time when he would get back to us, but the goal would still be early August ideally," manager David Bell said.