Reds' Elly De La Cruz reveals immense change to his body for 2026 MLB season

Reds’ Elly De La Cruz reveals immense change to his body for 2026 MLB season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Elly De La Cruz has made a serious effort to avoid the nightmare summer he had in 2025.

The Cincinnati Reds‘ star went a multi-month stretch of last season without hitting a single home run. Given his natural talent and athletic ability, that’s crazy.

He’s not planning to let it happen again.

This offseason, De La Cruz added 15 pounds, putting him up to 217 pounds right now.

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He put in a detailed upper body plan and also just ate more, according to reporter Charlie Clifford.

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This generally has to feel like welcome news for Cincy fans.

De La Cruz is a special ballplayer, but he also seems to have untapped potential that he can still reach, too.

Adding some muscle and strength almost has to be a good thing when you consider the length of an MLB season. He needs to be able to hold up the whole way, and this should help.

De La Cruz doesn’t take days off, either, and so the Reds want him at his physical best to ensure he can last throughout the campaign.

This certainly should be a step in the right direction.

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Reds’ Elly De La Cruz reveals immense change to his body for 2026 MLB season

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