GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- They're always going to be brothers, and they're also roommates. However, Matt McLain and his brother, Sean McLain, were opponents on the field Monday afternoon. Matt, the Reds’ second baseman, was in the lineup against the Dodgers, who started Sean at shortstop.
“We’re best friends. He’s funny, good to be around, always brings good energy," Matt said of Sean before the game. "We’ve played three times in college. I’m undefeated, so we’ve got to get this one today. If we win, it counts. If not, it’s Spring Training and I was out half the game.”
Older brother kept his bragging rights alive as the Reds cruised to an 8-1 win over the Dodgers at Goodyear Ballpark. Matt, 25, went 1-for-3 with an RBI single to left-center field in the fifth inning. Sean, 23, was also 1-for-3 with a leadoff double to left field and a run scored in the third inning.
"To see him on the opposite side, it reminds me of college, honestly," Sean said. “They won the game, that’s what matters. … I just wish we won, because that makes me 0-7 against him. I can’t beat him.”
Matt, who was taken 17th overall by the Reds out of UCLA in 2021, made his Major League debut with a strong rookie season in 2023. Sean was a fifth-round pick by Los Angeles in 2022 out of Arizona State and is currently in the organization's Minor League camp. A third McLain brother, 22-year-old Nick, was a third-round pick by the White Sox in 2024, also from ASU.
All three brothers grew up in Irvine, Calif., with their parents, Mike and Wendy.
“Not a rivalry, but we’re very competitive," Matt said of the dynamic.
“Wiffle ball, football, basketball. We played everything growing up," Sean said. "Just competing out there and having fun, seeing if you can get more hits and stuff."
For the first time since their days in the California Collegiate League, Matt and Sean were in the same lineup together for Glendale during the Arizona Fall League in October.
"We played with each other, drove to the yard every day, going through early work together and stuff like that. It was really cool," Matt said.
Matt, who missed all of the '24 season recovering from left shoulder surgery, used those games to get something out of the year after his Spring Training camp mishap.
On March 18 before a Cactus League game, Matt was practicing diving plays on a complex field with then-infield coach Jeff Pickler. It's something he had done -- without issue -- countless times.
But not this time.
A rough landing on one dive caused McLain to tear the labrum in his left shoulder while sustaining cartilage damage. His second big league season was over before it even began while he recovered from the surgery.
McLain now regrets practicing diving, especially that one.
“I do, but I’ve always done that," he said. "I’ve always dove in practice -- high school, college, not really Minor Leagues. I dove in early work before. It was kind of a freak accident. It was a high dive. It wasn’t a normal dive. It was like an airborne, land on it like that [making a smacking sound with his hands]. People don’t need to be holding their breath every time I dive if you see me airborne.”
McLain plans to curb the pregame diving practices going forward, but he hasn't stopped himself from doing it in games.
“I think [it's] being smart about certain plays going into it," McLain said. "I dove in the Fall League a couple of times. I told myself I wasn’t going to but I just did it, like instinct. I’ve dove plenty of times on it by now. It feels good, but it’s definitely something I’m going to shy away from now.”
Completing a long rehab often feels isolating for players without their teammates while working at the Reds’ player development complex in Arizona.
“I was just grinding six days a week, Monday-Saturday, mostly," McLain said. "At first, it was super slow and then it ramped up, and then I had a rib thing and that sucked and derailed it. I got back on track and went to the Fall League and did my thing. I needed that, to go play for peace of mind.”
An added benefit was having brother Nick close by.
"He just got drafted and he was out here too," McLain said. "I got to spend time with him. I got to watch some of his games over at ASU. I had a great support staff. It was super boring, but I had a best-case scenario.”