Reds lose 7-3 to the Cardinals on June 21 as Chase Petty struggles. Despite an Elly De La Cruz homer, the big news is Jonathan India's injury and Edwin Arroyo's call-up.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of tough pills to swallow in St. Louis, as the Cincinnati Reds fell 7-3 to the rival Cardinals. The loss was punctuated by a difficult start for rookie Chase Petty, but the story on the field was almost overshadowed by major news off it: Jonathan India is heading to the injured list, and top prospect Edwin Arroyo is officially on his way to the big leagues.
'We’ve hit a rough patch, but I believe in this group. We need to refocus and get back to playing our brand of baseball.' - David Bell
The game itself was a frustrating affair. Rookie Chase Petty couldn't find his footing, getting tagged for five runs in just 2.1 innings, with his ERA ballooning to 21.94. A three-run homer by the Cardinals' Brendan Donovan in the third inning was the back-breaker. The lone offensive spark came, unsurprisingly, from Elly De La Cruz. He launched his 17th home run of the season, a towering shot that also marked his 50th RBI, making him the fastest Red to reach that milestone since 2021. Despite Elly's heroics and a two-hit day from TJ Friedl, the Reds' offense couldn't overcome the early deficit against a sharp Sonny Gray.
The biggest news dropped before the first pitch. Second baseman Jonathan India was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain suffered during warmups. While losing a clubhouse leader is a blow, the corresponding move sent a jolt of excitement through the fanbase: the call-up of 21-year-old infield prospect Edwin Arroyo. The switch-hitter was tearing it up in Triple-A Louisville, hitting .298 with 7 homers and 32 RBI. 'We’re excited to see what Edwin can bring to the big league club,' said manager David Bell. Arroyo's arrival signals another youth movement wave and gives fans a significant reason to tune in.
As if one major roster move wasn't enough, reports surfaced that the Reds are actively listening to trade offers for outfielder Jake Fraley. With a solid .261 average, 9 homers, and 34 RBI, Fraley is a valuable piece that could attract AL contenders. The rumored asking price? Much-needed bullpen help. While nothing is imminent, it's clear the front office is exploring every avenue to improve the club ahead of the July trade deadline, even if it means parting with a productive player.
The strength of the farm system, which just produced Edwin Arroyo, was on full display Friday night. Top prospect Cam Collier had a monster game for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, blasting two home runs and driving in five. The 20-year-old is now hitting a blistering .312 with 15 homers on the season. It’s a powerful reminder that even when the big league club stumbles, the pipeline of talent in Cincinnati is deep and exciting.
Saturday was a gut punch, no doubt. A divisional loss, an injury to a key player, and a three-game skid are cause for concern. But it was also a day that swung the door wide open for the future. With Edwin Arroyo's arrival, the promise of more help from the farm, and the front office's willingness to make moves, the narrative can change quickly. As David Bell said, it's time to refocus. The Reds will look to do just that in the next game against the Cardinals, hoping to salvage the series and prove this rough patch is just a temporary detour.
