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The 2021 National League Rookie of the Year, Reds second baseman Jonathan India, isn’t having the type of sophomore season he or anybody on the club hoped for. India is on his second injured list stint for a right hamstring strain. Since April 15, he’s played in only four games between IL stints.

Because he felt good during workouts on the field, it was thought that India was ready last week to begin a rehab assignment in the Minors. But an MRI exam showed the hamstring wasn’t healed completely and that he would need another 10 days-to-two weeks before he could see some game action.

In the meantime, India has often been seen animated as he tries pumping up his team from the dugout rail during games. I recently caught up with India in the clubhouse for a chat about that and more.

MLB.com: Why is it important for you to be on the top step cheering for your teammates?

Jonathan India: I really can’t do anything to help them win. I’m not playing baseball, but I like to win, and I like to see people win. When I’m on a team, I want to see it win no matter what. If I can’t play, I will find a way to cheer on my teammates and encourage them to play hard. I know they would if I am on the field.

I’ve been trying to keep a positive mindset throughout this whole thing. It’s my first injury. Helping my teammates or being there for the guys keeps me in a good mindset as well and encourages me to get back and start playing with them again.

MLB.com: Is it hard to stay positive? This recovery has taken longer than you thought.

India: There have been no setbacks. It’s just we need a clean MRI. That’s the whole thing. It doesn’t matter how I feel. I feel great. You guys see me out there every day, pregame, doing what I do. I feel no pain, nothing. It’s waiting on a clean MRI now. It sucks to leave everything on an MRI, but this is an injury you really don’t want to mess up again. Hopefully the next MRI is clean.

MLB.com: Do you have a best friend in baseball who you seek out for advice?

India: Definitely [former Reds right fielder Nick] Castellanos. I just talked to him the other night. He’s been joking with me going, “You’re kind of just relaxing this year after having a good year last year and sitting on your ears.” He’s the one who definitely helped me last year, mentally, with stuff. We saw each other all offseason and trained together. But he’s definitely helped me out this year, mentally, with this injury.

MLB.com: What about on the current team?

India: [Kyle] Farmer is one of the best players on this team. Everyone on this team has helped me so much, honestly, with my mindset and how to stay positive this whole time. They know how I am on the field, how much baseball means to me, how much I care about this sport and playing on this team. I have been OK. They support me still. They ask me what I’m doing. They still care about me, and that means a lot. I’ve realized that injuries make it tough to be there for your guys. All I can do is keep going, keep getting better day-by-day and the day is going to come for me that I am back on the field. It’s going to be a very special moment for me.