Matt McLain on His Health, Reflects on Missing Reds Playoff Push

The 24-year-old missed the final month of last season.

Reds infielder Matt McLain is in great shape heading into the winter. 

While speaking to the media ahead of this weekend's Redsfest down at the Duke Energy Center, McLain revealed that he has fully recovered from a right oblique strain that prematurely ended his terrific rookie campaign.

"Things are going good. Started to swing, no problems," he said. "Lifting, no problems."

McLain was working his way back from injury in late September with the Reds playoff hopes still alive, but suffered a setback during a rehab assignment which squashed any hopes of playing again in 2023.  

"Yeah, it wasn't fun," McLain said. "I really wanted to come back and I knew it was part of the risk was, you know, you could re-tear it. It was a little early, but I wanted to do that and I wanted to try just because that's just kind of who I am and what I wanted to do."

The 24-year-old was one of the Reds more consistent hitters last year. He posted a .290 batting average with 16 home runs and 50 RBI in 89 games. He finished fifth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, despite missing the final month of the season. 

The Reds posted a 14-16 record down the stretch without McLain's bat in the line-up. The team did finish above .500 at 82-80, which was borderline miraculous coming off a 100 loss season just the year prior. 

They did miss the playoffs, despite being in first place in the division at the trade deadline.

"It was tough knowing the situation that we're in. I just wanted to help the team and during that time I really couldn't. It was tough mentally," McLain said. "It was a good thing for me to take into the offseason. Like really get that itch back. Wanting to play and wanting to be in that position and being able to help, hopefully, this next year."

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