Season In Jeopardy for Cincinnati Reds Star Jonathan India

With the Cincinnati Reds scuffling to stay in the playoff hunt, they've suffered another huge blow, as they've learned that sparkplug and team leader Jonathan India's season is in jeopardy.

Suffering from plantar fasciitis, India has been shut down from running for at least two weeks after an MRI on Thursday revealed that the tear in his plantar fascia had worsened.

There has been a setback with Jonathan India's return from injury.

He's been shut down for two weeks, due to pain while running and won't return until September.

Also, Nick Senzel has been optioned to Louisville.

David Bell comments on both situations. @anniesabo_ pic.twitter.com/jUXS3aJO7U
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) August 11, 2023

Manager David Bell said after that two-week period (if he's cleared at that point), a rehab/rampup of “maybe 10 days to two weeks after that if everything went perfect” would be required. That takes us into mid-September.

Will the Reds still be in the postseason chase by then? Since India has gone down, they've lost eight of their last 10, and now trail the first-place Milwaukee Brewers by 3.0 games in the NL Central, and have even slipped into 3rd place behind the Chicago Cubs. Going into play on Sunday, Cincinnati is tied with the Miami Marlins, a half-game back of the Cubs in the chase for the final Wild Card spot.

The 2021 Rookie of the Year was struggling mightily with the foot injury before going on the IL at the end of July. He hit .203 with a .616 OPS over his last 31 games and was unable to steal a base in that time.

“He’s a really tough player that plays through a lot,” GM Nick Krall said. “When he can’t go, he can’t go.”

Bell, though, is still holding out some hope. “My message to him was to sit out the two weeks and then do everything we can to get you back for the end of the season and the playoffs,” Bell said. “There’s still a lot left to shoot for to get back for, even if it is towards the end of the season.”

Photo: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports