The short-handed Cincinnati Reds got two more players back Wednesday and by the end of next month could have almost all of their originally planned lineup back on the field.
The bigger question is whether it will be too little too late for a sub-.500 team 3 1/2 games out of the playoff picture with 70 to play in the mediocre National League entering Wednesday.
For now, their hottest hitter, Jonathan India, was back in the lineup after missing a day because of a bruised knee. He was the designated hitter for this one but is expected to be back at second base for the final four games before next week’s All-Star break.
And outfielder Jake Fraley, who left the team for five days to be with his family during his daughter’s ongoing cancer treatment, was activated from the family medical emergency list Wednesday.
Rookie Blake Dunn was optioned back to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the roster.
How the rest of the Reds infirmary looks
- Second baseman Matt McLain began taking “dry swings” this week, manager David Bell said, and the plan is for him to increase activities over the next month until starting a minor-league rehab assignment Aug. 12. Barring setback, the best hitter on last year’s team as a rookie could be back for the final month of the season.
- Outfielder Nick Martini, who jammed his left thumb sliding into second base Saturday, had surgery to repair ligament damage Monday. That appears to be more serious than originally thought, but Bell said “he has a legitimate chance to be back this season,” possibly in September.
- Leadoff man TJ Friedl, who has been sidelined two weeks with a hamstring injury, won’t be ready to return for the first series after the All-Star break, Bell said, but should return within a week to 10 days from the break. He’s with the team now but expected to travel during the break to Arizona to continue his therapy and rehab work.
- Catcher Luke Maile, who suffered a herniated disc in the final game of that sweep in New York July 4, hasn’t progressed enough that the Reds have an estimated timeline yet for a return.
- Outfielder Stuart Fairchild, who also has a disc injury, is “doing well,” Bell said and could be ready to return on his first eligible date, for the Reds’ second-half opener in Washington. He might play a minor-league rehab game or two before his return.
- First baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand, already out for the season because of a ligament damage in the area where he fractured his wrist when hit by a pitch, undergoes surgery Thursday.
- Reliever Emilio Pagan (lat strain) is to have his next follow-up MRI as the Reds come out of the break to determine his progress.