Reds' Elly De La Cruz leaves vs. Braves in 5th inning due to hamstring tightness, will get MRI

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz left Sunday's 6-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves with right hamstring tightness after singling to right center in the fifth inning.

De La Cruz will undergo an MRI on Monday.

“When I was making the turn to get to first, I felt tightness in my hamstring and immediately decided to stop because I felt like if I keep going it could get worse," De La Cruz said, via interpreter Tomas Vera.

With the Reds leading 3-2, De La Cruz sent a ball into the gap against Braves starter Spencer Strider. The contact normally would have gone for a double, but De La Cruz grimaced as he reached first base and stopped. He walked off the field on his own after meeting briefly with training staff.

“He feels like he caught it before it did anything worse,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “Saying that, we're going to get him scanned at 9 in the morning and we'll know more.”

De La Cruz has appeared in 276 consecutive games, the sixth-longest streak for a Reds player in the expansion era (since 1961). His streak began on July 30, 2024.

“I don’t believe it is something bad. I really don't," De La Cruz said. “We’ll see what the MRI says tomorrow. I don't feel that bad. I don't know if I'll be playing tomorrow. I don't like to be out of the game.”

Prior to the injury, De La Cruz was 2 for 2 with two runs scored and a walk. He's batting .280 with 12 home runs this season.

“He's the heart and soul of this team,” Reds left fielder JJ Bleday said. “When everyone thinks Reds right now they're thinking Elly De La Cruz. Hopefully it's nothing serious.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz runs to first base after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a baseball against the Atlanta Braves game in Cincinnati, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly de la Cruz scores on a double hit by JJ Bleday during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Cincinnati, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly de la Cruz rounds third base as he scores on a double hit by JJ Bleday during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Cincinnati, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — South Africa’s national men’s soccer team has postponed its travel to Mexico because of visa issues, just 11 days ahead of the World Cup.

Bafana Bafana were supposed to leave for Mexico on Sunday to start its preparations for the tournament. The team is set to play co-host Mexico in the opening game in Mexico City on June 11.

South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie had called the situation “embarrassing” but said later on X that the team would now be departing on Monday.

“All @BafanaBafana players received their visas to travel to the USA, outstanding is assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst,” McKenzie said. “The charter will leave tomorrow.”

“The South African senior men’s national team has experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials, and as a result the group could not travel to North America this morning as originally planned,” the South African Football Association said in a statement earlier Sunday.

“SAFA is working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match of the global tournament,” the statement said.

The team will continue to train in Johannesburg, South Africa, until departure. SAFA said it would provide an update on the situation after an emergency meeting on Sunday evening.

South Africa also faces the Czech Republic and South Korea in Group A.

AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

FILE - South Africa's Oswin Appollis celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between South Africa and Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, South Africa, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana, File)

FILE - South Africa players celebrate after a World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between South Africa and Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, South Africa, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)

FILE - South Africa players celebrate their side's third goal during a World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between South Africa and Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, South Africa, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)