Christian Encarnacion-Strand Injury News & Updates

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Cardinals.

Encarnacion-Strand launched a three-run homer as part of the Reds' seven-run fourth inning. It was one of the team's six home runs in the contest. The rookie slugger has gone deep 13 times, including seven times over his last 10 games. Encarnacion-Strand is now slashing .274/.328/.488 with 37 RBI and 20 extra-base hits through 232 plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 11-7 win over Cleveland.

Encarnacion-Strand smacked a two-run home run as part of the Reds' three-run third inning, which helped the team survive an early onslaught by the Guardians. The rookie is making a case as the team's best hitter down the stretch. The home run was Encarnacion-Strand's sixth in the last eight games, during which he's slashing .367/.406/.967 with 12 RBI. For the season, he has 12 homers over 59 games.

Encarnacion-Strand went 3-for-5 with a home run, two total runs and four total RBI in a loss to the Pirates on Saturday.

Encarnacion-Strand put Cincinnati on the board with a two-run homer in the first inning. He added a run-scoring single in the second to help the team build an early 9-0 advantage. However, Pittsburgh came storming back to build a 13-9 lead before Encarnacion-Strand's eighth-inning single brought home another run to make the score 13-11. The rookie's big day ultimately went to waste, however, as the Pirates pulled off a one-run win. The four RBI were the most Encarnacion-Strand was recorded in a game thus far in his brief career. He's been on a power surge of late, knocking four homers over his past six games to give him 10 long balls on the season.

Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to Minnesota.

Encarnacion-Strand launched his ninth homer in the fourth inning, the rookie's third homer over the last four games. That increased his season total to nine in 189 at-bats. A slumping Elly De La Cruz, who sat out for the third time in the last six contests, has opened a few extra opportunities for Encarnacion-Strand and Noelvi Marte on the left side of the infield.

Encarnacion-Strand is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Twins.

Encarnacion-Strand has hit home runs in both of his last two games, but those are the only two starts he's made in the Reds' past five contests, as his playing time versus righties has been lagging since Joey Votto returned from the injured list. Votto will pick up the start at first base Monday.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Mets.

Encarnacion-Strand homered for a second time in as many days; however, Sunday's blast didn't carry the same impact as his game-winning hit the previous day. He's given the Reds a lift during the chase for the playoffs, registering a .341/.370/.591 slash line with three home runs and seven RBI over 13 September games.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Getting the start at third base and batting seventh, Encarnacion-Strand delivered what proved to be the winning runs when he lofted a Tylor Megill fastball over the fence in right-center field in the fourth inning. Encarnacion-Strand hasn't been seeing regular playing time lately on a crowded Reds roster, but the 23-year-old has been making the most of his opportunities, slashing .325/.357/.525 through 12 games in September with two doubles, two homers, four runs and five RBI.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

Encarnacion-Strand will be on the bench for the fourth time in five games, with two absences coming against right-handed pitchers and two coming versus left-handed pitchers. With the power-hitting rookie no longer looking to be assured of even a short-side platoon role at this point, he's tough to justify holding outside of NL-only or dynasty/keeper leagues. Encarnacion-Strand's downturn in playing time comes even as he's gotten off to a solid start to September with a .297/.333/.432 slash line through 11 games.

Encarnacion-Strand is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Detroit.

Encarnacion-Strand started Wednesday's game and reached base twice, but this now marks the third time he's been out of the lineup in the Reds' last four contests. With Joey Votto back from the injured list and Jake Fraley limited to designated hitter duty, the playing time squeeze for Encarnacion-Strand could continue.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 23-year-old has been a fixture at first base for the Reds over the past few weeks, but his playing time is poised to dip with Joey Votto (shoulder) and Jonathan India (foot) returning from the injured list Sunday. Encarnacion-Strand has a .721 OPS with six home runs in 187 plate appearances this season and should still see semi-regular action down the stretch, but his run as an everyday starter is likely at an end for the near future.

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 2-for-5 in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Cardinals.

Encarnacion-Strand has been the primary fill-in at first base while injured Joey Votto (shoulder) has been sidelined. That steady gig will end Saturday, as Votto is expected to return Sunday after a two-day rehab stint at Triple-A Louisville. Cincinnati manager David Bell will need to find opportunities for Encarnacion-Strand at designated hitter, third base or first base going forward. And there's motivation to find him spots in the lineup. Encarnacion-Strand is 14-for-35 (.400) with five extra-base hits and six RBI over the last nine games.

Encarnacion-Strand went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, an additional RBI and an additional run scored in Tuesday's walk-off victory over the Mariners.

Encarnacion-Strand blasted a no-doubt solo shot to cut Seattle's lead to 5-2 in the sixth and then delivered a walk-off RBI single in the ninth to complete the improbable comeback. After a somewhat slow start to his big-league career, the 23-year-old rookie has gone 11-for-26 (.423) in his last seven contests with three doubles, two home runs, five RBI and three runs across 26 at-bats during that stretch.

Encarnacion-Strand is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.

It's Encarnacion-Strand's first day off since July 28. Nick Martini is starting at first base and Jake Fraley is in the designated hitter spot for the Reds.

Encarnacion-Strand went 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Giants.

The rookie provided the Cincinnati bullpen with some breathing room when he launched a two-run shot off Tyler Rogers in the eighth inning. Encarnacion-Strand hadn't had a multi-hit performance since Aug. 19 and hadn't homered since Aug. 18, but the more important streak he snapped dated back to Aug. 4 -- the last time he avoided striking out. He closes the books on the month having posted a .255/.324/.418 slash line with four homers, nine runs and 12 RBI in 27 games, but his 34.3 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate during that time highlight the biggest obstacle between his loud tools and consistent production.

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Arizona.

Encarnacion-Strand slotted in at first base after the Reds placed Joey Votto (shoulder) on the injured list Thursday. The injury clears the way for Encarnacion-Strand to receive a steady dose of plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's loss to the Blue Jays.

One night after his first career walk-off homer, Encarnacion-Strand notched the first steal of his young career, serving as the trail runner in a ninth-inning double steal. Considering he stole just two bases in 67 minor-league games this year, it's unlikely that the 23-year-old will have the green light on the basepaths. Encarnacion-Strand has now hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, boasting a .278/.366/.528 slash line with three homers, six RBI, four runs scored and a steal across 41 plate appearances during that stretch. However, the rookie's 36.6% strikeout rate during that same time frame certainly causes some concern.

Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-4 with a walk-off solo home run in the ninth inning of Friday's 1-0 win over the Blue Jays.

The Reds and Blue Jays were locked in a scoreless tie with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning when Jordan Hicks hung a slider and Encarnacion-Strand launched it 411 feet for the game's only run. It was the first walk-off hit in the young major-league career of Encarnacion-Strand, who now has four home runs in his first 28 big-league contests.

Encarnacion-Strand will hit sixth as the designated hitter for the Reds on Sunday.

Encarnacion-Strand was hit by a pitch Friday and was removed from the game. X-rays after showed up as negative. The designated hitter's returns bumps Henry Ramos back out of the lineup.

Encarnacion-Strand (hand) isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against the Pirates.

Encarnacion-Strand made an early exit from Friday's contest after taking a pitch to the hand and will get and extra day to recover Henry Ramos will serve as Cincinnati's designated hitter Saturday, and Joey Votto will start at first base.

X-rays on Encarnacion-Strand's hand came back negative, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Encarnacion-Strand was struck by a Johan Oviedo pitch in the fifth inning of Friday's win over the Pirates, but he's managed to avoid a serious injury. It's possible the Reds will elect to give him a day of rest Saturday, anyway, but consider the young slugger day-to-day.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Marlins.

Encarnacion-Strand propelled the Reds to a lead in the fourth inning with a two-run homer, then extended the lead with run-producing single in the sixth. However, Cincinnati's bullpen coughed up four runs in the final two innings. It was the second home run in three games for Encarnacion-Strand, who is 12-for-37 (.324) over the last 10 games.

Encarnacion-Strand batted cleanup and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Monday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Encarnacion-Strand homered to lead off the fourth inning, which turned out to be the winning run. The blast snapped a 17-game homer-less drought. He's hit safely in six of the last eight contests, going 9-for-29 (.310) with two doubles, one homer, four RBI and four runs.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-5 with two RBI in Tuesday's 20-9 loss to the Cubs.

Encarnacion-Strand bounced back from his first stretch of adversity. After a five-game stretch in which the 23-year-old went 1-for-14 with eight strikeouts, Encarnacion-Strand has four hits, three RBI and a run scored without a strikeout in his last two games.

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and was hit by a pitch in Sunday's 9-0 win over the Dodgers.

Luckily, the HBP was from position player Miguel Rojas, whose 56 mph eephus didn't do much damage. It was just Encarnacion-Strand's third time reaching base over the last 16 plate appearances. After a promising first week in the majors, he's struck out eight times in the last 14 at-bats.

Encarnacion-Strand is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Brewers.

Jake Fraley will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and Joey Votto will cover first base versus the Brewers and ace right-hander Corbin Burnes. Encarnacion-Strand went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Monday's loss to Milwaukee and is slashing .269/.296/.385 through his first 27 major-league plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 11-10 loss to San Francisco.

Encarnacion-Strand, who went 0-for-3 in his major league debut Monday, homered as a pinch hitter for Jake Fraley to make his first MLB hit a special one. It gave the Reds a lead, 8-7, but they couldn't hold it. Encarnacion-Strand stayed in the game as the third baseman and singled in his next plate appearance.

Encarnacion-Strand will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in his major-league debut Monday versus the Giants.

Encarnacion-Strand earned his long-awaited promotion after slashing .331/.405/.637 while clubbing 20 home runs in 316 plate appearances with Triple-A Louisville. He's capable of playing both corner infield spots and has a bit of experience in the outfield, too, but the 23-year-old might be best suited for DH.

The Reds selected Encarnacion-Strand's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Encarnacion-Strand earned his call-up after he had been one of the most productive power hitters in the upper levels of the minors this season, posting 20 home runs and slashing .331/.405/.637 in 316 plate appearances at Louisville. He kept his strikeout rate at any acceptable level (21.8 percent) and also got his feet wet at a few different positions, taking reps in both corner-outfield spots as well as first base and third base. The 23-year-old is still probably best suited for designated-hitter duties, though the versatility he displayed at Triple-A should help him pick up steady playing time in his first taste of the majors. Look for Encarnacion-Strand to be a mainstay in the lineup versus left-handed pitching, though he could be part of a rotation for the final spot in the starting nine versus right-handers while Cincinnati has all of its key hitters available.

The Reds will promote Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Louisville on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Encarnacion-Strand has performed well at Louisville over the first half of the 2023 campaign, slashing .331/.405/.637 with 20 homers, 65 runs, 62 RBI and two stolen bases. The 23-year-old has impressed at every level of the minors and will now have an opportunity to showcase his talents on the big-league stage alongside some of Cincinnati's other top prospects in Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain. Encarnacion-Strand has seen some playing time in the outfield recently, and the corner outfield spots could be a path toward playing time if the Reds don't want to take at-bats away from Spencer Steer and Joey Votto. Regardless of Encarnacion-Strand's position, he's in line for regular at-bats with the major-league club as Cincinnati pushes for a playoff spot.