Reds lineup change has Cincy fans on edge after slugger's premature exit

The injury bug has already been unkind to the Cincinnati Reds at the outset of the 2025 season. Both Tyler Stephenson and Austin Hays are currently on the 10-day IL, and Cincinnati is also without starting pitcher Andrew Abbott. But some good news came across the wire on Tuesday, with the Reds' left-hander slated to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville.

But when the Reds starting lineup dropped ahead of the team's Tuesday night game against the Texas Rangers, Christian Encarnacion-Strand's name was nowhere to be found. This is, of course, very concerning after Encarnacion-Strand left Monday's game after being hit by a pitch on the right wrist. Encarnacion-Strand missed almost all of last season after a similar situation required surgery.

Thankfully, X-rays taken on Monday night were negative. But that's of little comfort to Reds fans given the nature of the injury. Spencer Steer is not on Terry Francona's lineup card either, so Cincinnati might need more heroics from Elly De La Cruz in order to dispatch of the Rangers and win the series.

Reds lineup change has Cincy fans on edge after Christian Encarnacion-Strand's premature exit

With Encarnacion-Strand out of the Reds starting lineup, Jeimer Candelario will take over at first base on Tuesday night against the Rangers. He'll bat fifth while the top-4 in the Reds' lineup (TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, De La Cruz, and Gavin Lux) remain unchanged.

Following Candelario and batting sixth will be the Reds' third baseman Santiago Espinal. Jake Fraley gets bumped up to No.7 in the Reds batting order after getting his first base knock of the 2025 season. Blake Dunn will be in left field and Austin Wynns is doing the catching and batting ninth.

The Reds will turn to Carson Spiers on Tuesday night, and the right-hander may only be making one start before heading back to Triple-A. Once Abbott is deemed good to go, the left-hander will likely be recalled and take his spot in the Reds starting rotation.

But Spiers had a fine spring, and nearly every Reds starter has found success during the early-going. Reds fans are hopeful that trend continues on Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park.

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