Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Starts at third base
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand started at third base and went 0-for-4 in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Cleveland.
This was the first time in five games that Encarnacion-Strand failed to reach base safely since coming off the IL; he'd gone 8-for-17 with a double, three home runs and seven RBI over the first four contests. This marked the third time in those five games that he's started at third base. Reds manager Terry Francona needs to find time for both Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer, and it appears Santiago Espinal's regular run at third base has ended.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Stays hot in win
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.
Encarnacion-Strand got the Reds on the board with a 403-foot blast in the fourth inning. He enjoyed an ideal return to action over the weekend, homering in all three games while collecting seven hits and six RBI. The 25-year-old is now slashing .229/.257/.486 with five home runs, 11 RBI and seven runs scored across 74 plate appearances this season, and he earned his second start at third base Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Enjoys productive Saturday
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand went 5-for-10 with two home runs and five RBI between wins over the Diamondbacks on Friday and Saturday.
Friday's game was suspended due to rain, and when it resumed Saturday, Encarnacion-Strand emerged as the hero after smacking the walk-off RBI double in the 10th. He carried over that momentum into Saturday's scheduled game, putting the Reds on the board in the first inning with a three-run shot to left field. Encarnacion-Strand had produced a .482 OPS across 59 plate appearances prior to suffering a back issue and landing on the injured list April 17, but the extended period on the shelf and subsequent rehab assignment may have helped the 25-year-old infielder figure things out at the plate. Expect the Reds to continue to find ways to keep his bat in the lineup now that he's looking healthy and productive.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Reinstated from IL
Rotowire
The Reds activated Encarnacion-Strand (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday.
Encarnacion-Strand has been on the shelf since April 17 due to lower-back inflammation, but after a lengthy rehab assignment, he's been cleared to rejoin the Reds. Prior to sustaining the injury, Encarnacion-Strand slashed .158/.183/.298 with two home runs in 60 plate appearances. However, he went 12-for-37 (.324) with a pair of homers over 10 games with Triple-A Louisville during his rehab stint.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Continuing rehab assignment
Rotowire
Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that Encarnacion-Strand (back) will remain on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville to begin the week, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports. "When he went down [with lower back inflammation], he wasn't swinging great," Francona said of Encarnacion-Strand. "Then you lose some time. You try to use [the rehab assignment] to your advantage."
Francona's comments suggest that Encarnacion-Strand isn't dealing with any physical setbacks since kicking off his rehab assignment May 22. Instead, the Reds want the 25-year-old to stockpile some more at-bats in the minors to get his timing back at the plate after he had struggled to begin the season before getting hurt and then being out of action for more than a month. Between stops in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Louisville during his rehab assignment, Encarnacion-Strand has slashed .355/.412/.742 with seven extra-base hits and a 2:8 BB:K over 34 plate appearances. The Reds could revisit adding Encarnacion-Strand back to the active roster following Thursday's off day.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Begins rehab at Triple-A
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand (back) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.
Encarnacion-Strand's rehab assignment shifted from the Arizona Complex League to Louisville, and this was his third appearance overall. He played first base in both games while in the ACL. The Bats were off Monday, and Encarnacion-Strand is expected to play Tuesday against Toledo. He's up to 11 plate appearances on the assignment, and the organization may want to see him push that to 20 or so after having missed nearly six weeks.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Rehab moving to Triple-A
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand (back) will have his rehab assignment moved to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, MLB.com reports.
Encarnacion-Strand kicked off his rehab in the Arizona Complex League on Wednesday and is 2-for-7 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. The Reds' roster has undergone some changes since he was placed on the injured list mid-April. Spencer Steer's early season shoulder issue no longer limits him to DH only, and he's been the primary first baseman, which was Encarnacion-Strand's job when he was added to IL.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Set to begin rehab assignment
Rotowire
The Reds announced that Encarnacion-Strand (back) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
Shortly after being placed on the injured list April 17 due to lower-back inflammation, Encarnacion-Strand reported to the Reds' spring training facility in Arizona to conduct his rehab program. His back has apparently responded well since he resumed ramping up his baseball activities in recent weeks, and he's now been deemed ready to test himself in a game setting. He'll likely stick around in Arizona for a few games before eventually transferring his rehab assignment to a higher-level affiliate, and a return from the IL by the end of next week could be a possibility if everything goes smoothly. Before landing on the shelf, Encarnacion-Strand had been serving as Cincinnati's primary first baseman but slashed just .158/.183/.298 over 60 plate appearances. With Spencer Steer having since settled in at first base over the past month and having picked up the pace at the plate following a slow start to the season, Encarnacion-Strand may not have an everyday spot in the Cincinnati lineup waiting for him once he returns.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Will ramp up soon
Rotowire
Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that Encarnacion-Strand (back) is "continuing to take steps" forward in his recovery process and could begin ramping up his baseball activities next week, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
After recently getting a second epidural injection to address his lower back inflammation, Encarnacion-Strand has reported improvement with his condition. Per MLB.com, Encarnacion-Strand has already been swinging off a tee and doing some running in the field, and he could soon incorporate more hitting and fielding in his workouts. The Reds haven't provided a definitive target date for Encarnacion-Strand's return from the 10-day injured list, but he's unlikely to be ready to rejoin the big club until the second half of May at the soonest.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Hits off tee Monday
Rotowire
Reds manager Terry Francona said that Encarnacion-Strand (back) hit off a tee Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
It's the next step in the progression for Encarnacion-Strand, who was given an epidural last week as he works his way back from low-back inflammation. The infielder has several items he still needs to check off the list before a timetable for his return becomes clearer.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Doing rotational exercises
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand (back) has been doing rotational exercises since receiving an epidural for his back issues and will be evaluated after the weekend to determine whether he'll need another epidural, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
So far there's no indication of a timetable for Encarnacion-Strand's return to action. When he returns, it'll be a little tricky to figure out his playing time following Noelvi Marte's strong performance this week. One possibility is Jeimer Candelario losing more playing time -- Candelario is hitting only .118 and was left out of the starting lineup Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Drives in two runs Wednesday
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-4 with a two-run double in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Mariners.
Encarnacion-Strand had gone 0-for-12 over his previous three games, but he managed to get the Reds on the board in the seventh inning Wednesday with a two-RBI double. He is working his way back from hamstring and back soreness, which caused him to miss two games earlier in the week. Encarnacion-Strand has begun the season slashing .158/.183/.298 with four runs scored, two home runs and five RBI across 60 plate appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Lands on IL with back inflammation
Rotowire
The Reds placed Encarnacion-Strand on the 10-day injured list Thursday with low-back inflammation.
Encarnacion-Strand had a two-RBI double in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, but he's been playing through a back issue for a while and the Reds have decided that the best course of action is to rest him for a bit. Jeimer Candelario is likely to handle the bulk of reps at first base while Encarnacion-Strand is out, with Gavin Lux, Santiago Espinal and Noelvi Marte representing the Reds' options at third base.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Returns to lineup Tuesday
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand (back/hamstring) will start at first base and bat seventh in Tuesday's game versus the Mariners.
Encarnacion-Strand missed the last two contests due to back and hamstring soreness, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Tuesday's series opener. The 25-year-old is scuffling in the early going this season with just a .498 OPS over his first 13 games.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Out of lineup again
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates, with manager Terry Francona noting that the first baseman is "banged up" due to back and hamstring issues, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Encarnacion-Strand will miss out on a start for the second day in a row due to the pair of injury concerns, both of which he contended with at points during the 2023 season. However, Francona said he expects Encarnacion-Strand to be available off the bench Sunday, so the Reds don't appear to be too concerned about the 25-year-old potentially needing a stint on the shelf.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Resting Saturday
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand is not in the Reds' starting lineup against the Pirates on Saturday.
Encarnacion-Strand will get a rest day after going 0-for-8 with three strikeouts over his last two games. Noelvi Marte will make his first start of 2025 at third base while Jeimer Candelario shifts to first base.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Snaps drought
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 11-7 win over the Brewers.
Encarnacion-Strand ended a string of 18 at-bats without a hit when he belted a solo homer to lead off the fourth inning. The blast was his second of the season. He's been the Reds' primary first baseman and does not appear to be in danger of losing that role at this time despite a .172 average. That could eventually happen if he continues to struggle, but manager Terry Francona has limited options due to injuries.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Plates run in loss
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand went 0-for-3 with an RBI in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Brewers.
Encarnacion-Strand ended the Reds' 35-inning scoreless streak with a run-producing sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. It was the first productive plate appearance in a while for Encarnacion-Strand, who doesn't have a hit over his last 20 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Returns to lineup
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Rangers.
Encarnacion-Strand returned to the lineup after missing one game due to a hand injury. After a pair of two-hit games to open the season, he's gone hitless in his subsequent nine at-bats.
... See More... See Less
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Back in action Wednesday
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand (hand) will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's contest versus the Rangers.
Encarnacion-Strand didn't play Tuesday after leaving Monday's game following a hit-by-pitch on the right hand, but it will be just a one-game absence for the infielder. The 25-year-old is 4-for-14 with one home run in the early going this season.
... See More... See Less
Player Bio
HT/WT: 6-1, 220 lbs
Birthplace: Walnut Creek, CA
Age: 25
Experience: 2
Bats/Throws: R, R
Help us stay on the ball.
Step up to the plate and take this short, confidential survey. It'll help make CBSSports.com a better experience for users everywhere. Want to give it a shot?
