2B - Cincinnati Reds
- Age 26
- UCLA
- Bats: R
- Throws: R
Availability
McLain missed Monday's exhibition game due to an illness but is back in the lineup Tuesday, starting at second base and batting second against the Brewers.
Fantasy Impact
He posted a .220/.300/.343 slash line with 15 home runs and 18 steals across 147 games last season and is set to bat second for Cincinnati to open the regular season.
Reds manager Terry Francona confirmed that he intends to bat Matt McLain second this season.
Fantasy Impact
McLain wound up being moved to the bottom of the lineup for much of last season. He has slashed .553/.605/1.105 with six home runs in 43 plate appearances in spring training action.
Matt McLain told reporters he added 12 pounds of muscle this offseason.
Fantasy Impact
McLain noted that it's the first full offseason he's had not needing to rehab. "It feels like a fresh start," he added. He struggled in his return from shoulder surgery last season. He's in line to have a chance to bounce back this upcoming season.
Matt McLain and the Cincinnati Reds agreed on a $2.3 million contract for the 2026 season to avoid arbitration.
Fantasy Impact
After missing all of 2024 due to shoulder surgery, McLain returned in 2025 but struggled to a .220 batting average in 577 plate appearances with the Reds. McLain did hit 15 home runs and stole 18 bases, but it was a decline from his rookie campaign in 2023 when he hit .290 with 16 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. McLain will again serve as the starting second baseman for the Reds and is certainly a bounce back candidate in 2026.
Matt McLain went 1-for-3 in the win against the Cubs, contributing with a home run, an RBI, and one run scored, while striking out twice.
Fantasy Impact
After today’s victory, McLain has a .223 batting average with 15 home runs and 49 RBI across 139 games this season.
