Cincinnati Reds' Jonathan India exits Monday's game vs. Brewers with back tightness

A month from now what happened in the top of the eighth inning Monday night at Great American Ball might have set off a Reds Nation Hug Watch.

For now, “Just a little back tightness,” Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said.

That would be the back belonging to second baseman Jonathan India, the No. 3 batter in the Reds’ order Monday night until leaving the game after the home team batted in the seventh.

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Bell said the 2021 Rookie of the Year felt the tightness “a little bit a lot of the day” but insisted he was fine to play — and went 1-for-3 during a 2-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in which the teams combined for just nine hits.

“He probably could have played the whole game, but I wanted to be cautious with it,” Bell said.

“I think the only way I got him to agree to come out was to say, “If we get you out tonight, you can be in there [Tuesday]. He typically fights me really hard, and tonight was no different.”

The Reds, who already have had seven players make major-league debuts this year, are preparing for the most anticipated one yet, when baseball’s No. 1 prospect, shortstop Elly De La Cruz, is promoted.

The anticipated middle infield glut of good young talent already has resulted in India getting pregame work at other positions and a led to outside speculation that the Reds might consider trading him at this summer’s deadline — though indications suggest they’re reluctant to do that.