The Cincinnati Reds pulled off a significant surprise by clinching the final wild card spot from the New York Mets right at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Elly De La Cruz showcased another solid year, leading the Reds’ lineup, yet the team performed below average in various offensive metrics. The arrival of Eugenio Suárez will undoubtedly inject power into a lineup in need of reinforcement.
Elly De La Cruz is optimistic about the Cincinnati Reds’ potential for an improved 2026 season, especially with Eugenio Suárez returning for his second tenure with the team. Having the experienced Venezuelan slugger batting behind him creates a more favorable situation for De La Cruz, offering essential protection in the batting order. He emphasizes that Suárez is not only a key contributor on the field but also a unifying veteran presence within the club.
“We’ve got to keep things together. With Gino, we’ve got more opportunities,” he shared with MLB.com. “I’ve got some protection. I think we’ve got a good team now.”
Elly De La Cruz & Eugenio Suárez with back-to-back homers ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/djMbXkK42n
— MLB (@MLB) February 24, 2026
“He’s really fun. He likes to keep us all together. And I like that.”
Suárez had a notable first stint with the Reds, spending seven seasons before recently signing a one-year deal worth $15 million, which includes a $16 million mutual option for 2027. Last season, the 34-year-old slugger boasted impressive numbers, hitting 49 home runs and driving in 118 RBIs with a 126 OPS+ while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.
Elly De La Cruz Opens Up on Playing Through Injury
In the first half of 2025, Elly De La Cruz was exceptional for the Reds. However, his performance significantly declined during the last two months due to a left quadriceps strain. Despite this setback, De La Cruz remained resilient, playing in all 162 regular-season games.
“It means a lot because I want to make sure that we can win every day,” De La Cruz stated. “I know we can win if I’m out there. So I want to be out there every single day.”
Elly De La Cruz looking jacked this spring 😳
(via @Reds) pic.twitter.com/v5MA5TV99S
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) February 17, 2026
By the end of July, De La Cruz had posted a solid .285/.363/.489 batting line. Unfortunately, his struggles continued into the season’s final stretch, resulting in a disappointing .221/.280/.341 performance. Still, he ended the year with 60 extra-base hits, including 22 home runs, alongside 37 stolen bases.
