1 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Pitchers and catchers get loose before workouts at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
1 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Pitchers and catchers get loose before workouts at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
2 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
The practice fields are prepared for workouts at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
3 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds catching coach Bill Haselman talks with catcher P.J. Higgins (65) before a workout at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
4 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds infielder Eugenio Suarez (28) loosens up with a weighted ball at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
5 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds infielder Eugenio Suarez (28) loosens up with a weighted ball at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
6 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Barry Larkin looks on during warmups at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
7 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Pitchers and catchers warm up before workouts at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
8 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder (25) warms up with a football before workouts at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
9 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) joins a pitchers and catchers warmup session at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
10 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona (77) looks on during warm ups at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
11 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Pitchers and catchers run a warmup routine before workouts at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
12 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Santillan (64) gets loose before workouts at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
13 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) warms up at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
14 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds first base coach Collin Cowgill (54) walks between practice fields at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
15 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo (40) heads to the indoor gyms at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
16 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Clubhouse staff cleans cleats at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
17 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds general manager Brad Meador watches a bunting session at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
18 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds infielder Eugenio Suarez (28) stands by between rounds of a bunting routine at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
19 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds catcher P.J. Higgins (65) lays down a bunt during a session at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
20 / 20
See photos as Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers continue workouts
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (33) works out in the gym at the Cincinnati Reds player development complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
GOODYEAR, Arizona – In barely the amount of time it takes Elly De La Cruz to circle the bases on an inside-the-park home run, the Cincinnati Reds’ star shortstop sent a chill up the organization’s spine and caused, however briefly, the only thing remotely approaching a stir in a so-far smooth spring training camp.
The biggest star on the team riding a motorcycle? Without a helmet? Mugging for the camera before the 16-second video ends with what like looks him and group of pals about to take off down the street?
Advertisement
“I wasn’t riding a motorcycle,” De La Cruz said. “It was for a video.”
The video that posted last week just before spring training started quickly went viral, catching concerned team officials off guard before they got to the bottom of it.
“A bunch of people sent it to me,” Reds general manager Brad Meador said. “I hadn’t seen it. So I reached out to him, and I said, ‘Hey, I’m getting blown up because of these pictures on social media.'”
Fortunately for the Reds, De La Cruz apparently knows how to hit for the cycle but not how to ride one.
Elly De La Cruz
Meador: “He said he didn’t ride it. He just rolled it. He said, ‘I don’t even know how to ride one of those things.’“
Advertisement
De La Cruz said he was helping out a friend with a website. He’s never had a motorcycle and doesn’t plan to get one or learn to ride – but understands the concern he raised.
Even if he, too, was caught off guard by how quickly the video spread.
The standard MLB contract includes restrictions on high-risk activities such as riding motorcycles and skiing.
Star players such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Kent have suffered injuries that cost them playing time from motorcycle accidents in the past.
“When I first saw (the video), I was worried,” team president Nick Krall said. “You just want to make sure that he’s healthy and ready to go for the season.”
Advertisement
That much seems assured. De La Cruz said last year’s quad strain is fully healed, he’s skipping the World Baseball Classic to get ready for the season, and he looks like he’s in the best shape of his life as he seeks a third consecutive All-Star appearance.
And, by the way, for anyone wondering if De La Cruz skis?
“No.”
(Click this to view video)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elly De La Cruz eases Cincinnati Reds’ concern over motorcycle video