Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Demoted to minors
Rotowire
The Reds optioned Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.
Encarnacion-Strand has seen his playing time dwindle over the past several days, and Jake Fraley's (shoulder) return from the IL will now leave the former without a spot on the active roster. The 25-year-old Encarnacion-Strand has slashed .208/.234/.377 across 137 plate appearances this season.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: On bench again
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Encarnacion-Strand went unused off the bench in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Marlins.
Since Noelvi Marte's return from the injured list last Friday, Encarnacion-Strand has started once over the last five games. For now, Marte and Spencer Steer will continue to garner most of the starts at the corner-infield spots, while Austin Hays and Gavin Lux appear set to share left field and the designated-hitter spot when the Reds face right-handed pitching. Encarnacion-Strand has batted just .179 over his last 17 games, and with his playing time on the downswing, he could soon be headed for a demotion to Triple-A Louisville.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Losing out on playing time
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Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.
With Noelvi Marte returning from the injured list Friday, the Reds' position-player group is now back to full strength with the exception of outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder), who remains on the shelf. As a result of the logjam in the infield, Encarnacion-Strand has unsurprisingly found himself as the odd man out of the lineup more frequently. Encarnacion-Strand will head to the bench for the third time in four games since Marte's activation.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Taking seat Friday
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Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.
The 25-year-old started the previous four games and has been a lineup regular since returning from lower-back inflammation in early June, but Noelvi Marte's (oblique) activation from the injured list Friday leaves Cincinnati with a crowded infield. Encarnacion-Strand has a .723 OPS since coming back from his injury and could be the odd man out for the Reds, though he still seems likely to receive semi-regular starts.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Launches grand slam in win
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Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox.
After fouling a ball off his foot in the continuation of a suspended game earlier Wednesday, Encarnacion-Strand was able to rejoin the lineup in the nightcap and proved to be the difference maker. The 25-year-old first baseman blasted a 439-foot grand slam off Greg Weissert to put the Reds ahead 4-3 in the seventh inning. It's the first homer since June 8 for Encarnacion-Strand, who'd gone 8-for-51 (.157) with an ugly .362 OPS in his last 15 games. He's now slashing .206/.233/.381 with six homers, 19 RBI and 13 runs scored through 133 plate appearances this season.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Cleared to start Wednesday
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand (foot) will start at first base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.
Earlier Wednesday, the Reds and Red Sox resumed their suspended game from Tuesday. Encarnacion-Strand started that game at third base and went 1-for-3 before being lifted in the bottom of the eighth inning after he had fouled a ball off his foot in the top of the frame. The Reds didn't include him in their initial lineup for Wednesday's scheduled game, but Encarnacion-Strand will end up starting after Spencer Steer was scratched due to a hand injury that he suffered earlier in the day when he was hit by a pitch. Though Encarnacion-Strand may not be 100 percent while he tends to the foot issue, the Reds evidently felt that Steer was more in need of rest and recovery for the nightcap.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Out after fouling ball off foot
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Encarnacion-Strand is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Boston after fouling a ball off the top of his foot earlier in the day, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
The Reds and Red Sox resumed Tuesday's suspended game earlier Wednesday, and Encarnacion-Strand was removed in the bottom of the eighth after getting hurt in his at-bat in the previous half inning. Manager Terry Francona didn't disclose whether Encarnacion-Strand underwent X-rays following his removal from the contest. With Encarnacion-Strand on the bench for the second game of the day, the Reds will turn to Santiago Espinal to cover third base.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Getting breather Saturday
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand isn't in the starting lineup Saturday versus San Diego.
Encarnacion-Strand has started each of Cincinnati's previous four contests and went 2-for-12 with three runs batted in during that stretch, with both of the hits and all of the RBI coming in the same game. He'll begin on the bench Saturday while Santiago Espinal starts at the hot corner and Spencer Steer starts at first base.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Starts at third base
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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.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Reinstated from IL
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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.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Rehab moving to Triple-A
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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.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Lands on IL with back inflammation
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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.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Drives in two runs Wednesday
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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.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Out of lineup again
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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.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Plates run in loss
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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.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Back in action Wednesday
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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.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Avoids significant injury
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The Reds announced that X-rays on Encarnacion-Strand's right hand came back negative after he exited Monday's game against the Rangers in the top of the seventh inning, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Encarnacion-Strand was pulled from the contest after being hit by a pitch on the hand in the bottom of the sixth inning, but he checked out OK after undergoing further testing. The club will presumably check on the first baseman early Tuesday before determining whether he can be penciled into the starting lineup for the second game of the series.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Has breakout potential
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Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's spring game against Arizona.
Encarnacion-Strand took advantage of a Jordan Montgomery fastball that stayed up for his third Cactus League homer. Coming back from a wrist injury that limited him to 29 games in 2024, Encarnacion-Strand appears healthy in camp. He's mainly batted in the lower half of the order this spring, but he could provide a middle-of-the-order presence if he continues to mash. Capable of playing both corner infield spots, Encarnacion-Strand has started mostly at first base and is looking like the favorite to win the job. His cause is aided by the shoulder injury to Spencer Steer, who may open the regular season on the IL.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Blasts second spring homer
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Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Padres.
Encarnacion-Strand led off the second inning with a solo home run, his second blast of the Cactus League. He's looking to put an injury-marred 2024 in the past; the 25-year-old corner infielder was limited to just 29 games by a wrist injury last season. While the Reds are using Encarnacion-Strand and others at both corner infield spots, he appears to be the team's expected starter at first base.
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Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Launches homer Wednesday
Rotowire
Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a home run in Wednesday's spring game against the Angels.
Encarnacion-Strand has appeared in three games -- two at first base and one at third -- as the corner infield spots are not yet set. He and Jeimer Candelario have seen action at each corner thus far in Cactus League action, but C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic observed that Encarnacion-Strand has spent most of his time at first base during workouts while Candelario's logged plenty of time at third.
