ORLANDO, Fla. -- With the benefit of hindsight, Reds manager Terry Francona wished he handled things differently with how often he played All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz .

De La Cruz played 162 games -- with 161 starts -- during the 2025 season plus two postseason games, but also showed diminished offensive output throughout the second half while playing through a nagging left quadriceps strain .

"There were a lot of things going on. I think I need to take responsibility -- and I have, and I will," Francona said on Monday during the Winter Meetings. "I need to find ways to get him off his feet from time to time, and I didn't do a very good job of that, and I own up to that."

The 23-year-old De La Cruz also didn't miss a game despite the tragic death of his sister on May 31. He

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