We still might see Matt McLain with the Reds this year

The depth of the argument for Matt McLain’s injury being the single biggest thing that derailed the 2024 Cincinnati Reds season wouldn’t need to get out of the shallow end to convince me. Matt McLain’s injury is the single biggest thing that derailed the 2024 Cincinnati Reds season is all you’d need to say for me to nod in agreement.

There have been other issues, sure. TJ Friedl’s repeated freak injuries sure helped the unfortunate cause, as has the health implosion of the otherwise brilliant starting rotation. Still, losing the guy who was the single brightest spot on the 2023 vintage for the entirety of the season* just seemed to turn the lights out on this season before they ever got warm.

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