The Cincinnati Reds find themselves in a curious position as they approach the 2026 season. This is a franchise that has leaned heavily on its youth movement to carry them back into contention. The expectation was that players like Matt McLain would bounce back and play a role in that rise.
Instead, McLain’s uneven 2025 campaign has left more questions than answers, forcing the front office to take a hard look at how he fits into their long-term plans.
McLain’s story is layered. Injuries derailed his 2023 season, and after missing all of 2024, the rust carried over into 2025.