Reds face frustrating reality after (another) Christian Encarnacion-Strand setback

When the Cincinnati Reds signed Eugenio Suárez to a one-year, $15 million deal earlier this month, the chances of Christian Encarnacion-Strand making the Opening Day roster went down quite a bit. The plan is for Suárez to takeover as the Reds' primary designated hitter in 2026 while also spending some time at first and third base — a role shared by Encarnacion-Strand.

But after Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith's recent reveal from spring training, Encarnacion-Strand's odds to make the Reds Opening Day roster have all but evaporated. Per Goldsmith, Encarnacion-Strand tweaked his hamstring in January. He's on a running progression and may miss the first few spring games.

If there was one player in Goodyear who could least afford an injury, it was Encarnacion-Strand. The slugger spent almost the entire 2024 season on the injured list and was on and off the IL in 2025 before being sent down to Triple-A Louisville permanently during the second-half of the season.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand is hurt again, and Reds fans are growing impatient

Reps and face-time with the coaching staff is critical for virtually every player who's not guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster, but that goes double for a player like Encarnacion-Strand who's appeared in just 65 games over the past two seasons. Moreover, he's hasn't even hit above the Mendoza line (.199/.227/.337) since 2024 after posting a .270/.328/.477 slash line with 13 home runs during his rookie season in 2023.

Encarnacion-Strand has been replaced by Suárez and leapfrogged by Sal Stewart. The Reds have big plans for their rookie infielder, and are willing to bump Gold Glove finalist Spencer Steer to the outfield just to get Stewart's into the lineup. That alone should tell you where Encarnacion-Strand stands at the moment.

Encarnacion-Strand was hit on the hand during the early-part of the 2024 season and suffered a right ulnar styloid fracture that landed him on the 60-day IL. He got some rehab work in during Fall League play in 2024 and was part of the Reds Opening Day roster last season. A lower back injury sidelined him less than a month into the season, but he returned to the active roster in June, only to be shuttled back to the minors ahead of the All-Star break.

Encarnacion-Strand will have to make up ground upon his return if he has any hope of making the Reds' Opening Day roster. Suárez will be participating in the World Baseball Classic next month — which will give CES a chance to prove himself to the coaching staff — if he's healthy enough to play, of course.