The St. Louis heat didn’t just simmer—it scorched. As the Cincinnati Reds battled the Cardinals, each inning dragged under punishing conditions. The temperature hit 92 degrees at first pitch, with a heat index climbing into triple digits, turning the game into a true test of endurance for everyone on the field. That brutal reality came to a head when Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz suddenly vomited on the infield, forcing an immediate stoppage.

“The game is halted while #Reds trainers attended to SS Elly De La Cruz, who threw up in the dirt and grass. The temperature was 92 degrees at first pitch and the heat index is expected to reach triple digits today. The grounds crew brought out a rake and shovel for the cleanup,” reported John Denton. The grounds crew rushed out with a rake and shovel—this wasn’t just another heatwave moment.

But in typical De La Cruz fashion, he stayed in the game. That decision wasn’t just gutsy—it underscored his durability and drive. Elly entered the matchup coming off a 1-for-4 performance and leads the team in both home runs (16) and RBIs (50). Among all major league hitters, he’s ranked 13th in both categories—a stat line that reflects more than just talent; it shows reliability. That’s what made the incident even more alarming. If he is going down in the heat, how dangerous are these conditions for everyone else on the field?

The episode was captured by Chatterbox Sports, who posted, “Elly De La Cruz just threw up out in the field but stayed in the game.” It wasn’t just another routine moment—it highlighted the human side of baseball, where heat and fatigue don’t care about stats or standings.

While Elly De La Cruz’s health scare in the St. Louis heat sent shockwaves through the dugout, there’s another concern quietly brewing off the field—one that could shape the Reds’ future far beyond this summer.

Reds, Scott Boras and the unfinished business of a Elly De La Cruz extension

Contract talks between Elly De La Cruz and the Reds began this past offseason, but they fizzled out before anything meaningful materialized. President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall confirmed the discussions, yet noted there are “no current talks,” leaving fans uncertain about what’s next. The twist? De La Cruz is represented by none other than Scott Boras—a name that doesn’t exactly scream “team-friendly extension.” Boras is known for steering his stars toward free agency, where bidding wars work to his advantage.

Still, it’s not entirely hopeless. Boras has shown a willingness to ink early deals when the conditions are right. Just ask Jose Altuve or Stephen Strasburg. Altuve signed two separate extensions with Houston, and Strasburg pulled off a massive back-to-back deal with the Nationals—first $175 million, then $245 million. In these cases, the team’s willingness to commit long-term money before hitting the open market made the difference. That’s the kind of bold commitment the Reds may need to replicate if they want to keep De La Cruz in Cincinnati for the long haul.

Beyond pitchers and MVPs, Boras has made notable moves for rising stars. Carlos Gonzalez and Elvis Andrus locked in eight-year deals early in their careers, providing their teams with long-term security and the players with guaranteed earnings. A similar move for De La Cruz, who currently leads the Reds with 16 home runs and 50 RBIs, would not only stabilize the Reds’ core—it could define the next decade of baseball in Cincinnati. If the Reds truly want to build around him, the time to strike is before the bidding begins.

Elly De La Cruz’s mid-game scare was a wake-up call—not just about the dangers of extreme conditions, but about how crucial he is to the Reds’ future. If Cincinnati truly wants to protect its present and secure its future, locking him up long-term shouldn’t just be an option—it’s a necessity.