The power-hitting first baseman is back.
Earlier this week, the Reds faced a key decision: Should they activate Christian Encarnacion-Strand after his rehab stint, or send him to Triple-A for more reps? Fans made their opinion loud and clear—64% voted to bring him back to the big league roster and put him in the lineup at first base or designated hitter.
While CES impressed in 2023 with a strong debut, the past two seasons have been rough. Injuries and inconsistency have limited his impact, resulting in just a 35 OPS+ across 182 plate appearances since then. Some fans argued a Triple-A stint could help him find his rhythm again, but the Reds ultimately chose to give him another shot in the majors.
To make room, the Reds designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment. Though valuable as depth, Wynns had become a non-factor on the active roster. With Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino healthy, carrying three catchers no longer made sense.
The Reds officially announced Encarnacion-Strand’s activation on Friday, signaling a new chance for the slugger to prove he belongs in the heart of Cincinnati’s lineup.
