De La Cruz is hoping to build off a promising All-Star campaign in 2024. In 160 games last season, the shortstop led the big leagues in strikeouts (218) but also batted .259/.339/.471 with 25 homers and 67 stolen bases. He became the first player in MLB history to notch at least 100 stolen bases and 30 homers over his first two seasons.

Cincinnati opened its spring training schedule with split squad games against the Guardians and the Brewers. De La Cruz was with the team taking on Cleveland, and he didn’t waste any time. He treated the crowd to a show, looking like he is in midseason form already.

In the Cincinnati Reds ' Cactus League opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark, De La Cruz homered in his first two at-bats. Both were solo shots to approximately the same spot on the grass berm in left-center field.

Reds manager Terry Francona plans to opt out of elective participation in the automated ball-strike challenge trial during spring training but is willing to let Cincinnati's minor league players accustomed to the procedure use challenges.

Reds manager Terry Francona plans to opt out of elective participation in the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge trial during spring training, but is willing to let Cincinnati's minor-league players accu