Reds finally clear path for Christian Encarnacion-Strand with overdue roster cut

The Cincinnati Reds reinstated Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the injured list on Friday and finally cut ties with one of the biggest drags on their roster. In order to clear a spot for Encarnacion-Strand, the Reds designated Austin Wynns for assignment. Cincinnati had been carrying three catchers since Tyler Stephenson returned from the IL in early May, but Wynns rarely saw the field.

Encarnacion-Strand had been sidelined with a back injury for the past several weeks, but after a two-week rehab assignment split between the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Louisville, the slugger is back with the big league ball club.

Wynns hadn't started a game behind the plate since the month of April, and while keeping him around enhanced Cincinnati's catching depth, it also severely limited the team's ability to use all 26 players on the roster. Without Wynns, the Reds will now have the catching tandem of Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino behind the plate.

Reds activate Christian Encarnacion-Strand, DFA Austin Wynns

With Encarnacion-Strand back on the roster, the Reds are one step closer to being at full strength. Cincinnati is still without Austin Hays, but the team is expecting to activate the outfielder sometime in the next couple of days. Jeimer Candelario began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville this week, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the switch-hitting infielder return to the roster in the next week or so.

The Reds have missed Encarnacion-Strand's power in the middle of the lineup. Cincinnati has been relying instead on manufacturing runs with players like Santiago Espinal, Jake Fraley, and Garrett Hampson taking on larger roles. It remains to be seen how Reds manager Terry Francona plans to deploy Encarnacion-Strand, but with Wynns off the roster, Stephenson is unlikely to be used as the Reds' DH.

Encarnacion-Strand spent the past two games at Triple-A playing third base — a position he played in college and the minor leagues. With Spencer Steer playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at first base and Noelvi Marte still on the injured list, perhaps the Reds will look to move Encarnacion-Strand to the hot corner.

The Reds hope, of course, is that Wynns clears waivers and accepts an outright assignment to Triple-A — which was the entire reason for delaying the decision to begin with. Wynns was out of minor league options, and after his hot-start to the season, it's doubtful all other 29 teams will pass on the opportunity to bring him into the fold.

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