Terry Francona’s subtle move hints at upcoming Reds roster cut fans will hate

Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been out of the Cincinnati Reds starting lineup for the past three games, and he may well be on his way back to the minor leagues. Though sure to be wildly unpopular with the Reds fanbase, don't be shocked if Encarnacion-Strand is optioned to Triple-A Louisville in order to activate Jeimer Candelario from the injured list.

Like it or not, Reds fans, Candelario is on his way back from a prolonged rehab assignment. The infielder struggled at the start of the season, and was placed on the IL with a lumbar strain. Candelario has spent the past few weeks in the Reds' minor leagues, but his numbers haven't improved much.

Prior to landing on the IL, Candelario was hitting just .113/.198/.213 with two home runs, 10 RBI and an 11 OPS+. The veteran recovered from this injury, and after a brief two-game stint with the ACL Reds in Arizona, Candelario's rehab shifted to Triple-A where he posted a .211/.318/.333 slash line in 15 games with the Louisville Bats.

Will the Reds option Christian Encarnacion-Strand in order to activate Jeimer Candelario?

The Reds signed Candelario to a three-year, $45 million deal prior to the 2024 season. Though his numbers have been wildly disappointing with Cincinnati, Reds fans know that Bob Castellini isn't just going to sit idly by and allow that investment to rot in the dugout. The Reds will attempt to squeeze every last cent out of Candelario's bat, even if there's little to nothing left.

But would the Reds really option Encarnacion-Strand back to Triple-A instead of Connor Joe? Though Joe would seem to have a lesser role with the team at the moment, and has minor-league options remaining, Encarnacion-Strand may end up being the roster casualty ahead of the upcoming series against the New York Yankees.

The Reds have a tall task ahead with two left-handed pitchers on deck. Cincinnati will face Carlos Rodón and Max Fried in the coming days, and Joe's has a .752 career OPS against southpaws. His ability to play both corner outfield spots can't go unnoticed either. With Austin Hays still on the mend, Joe might represent Francona's best option in left field alongside TJ Friedl and Rece Hinds.

Spencer Steer could move from first base to left field, in which case Encarnacion-Strand could slide into to that corner infield spot. Francona, however, seems to prefer Steer's glove at first base, and with Candelario's ability to play the position as well, that redundancy may lead to Encarnacion-Strand losing his spot on the active roster.

Encarnacion-Strand's return from the IL earlier this month sparked a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but his bat grew eerily silent, and he's been in the dugout the past three games. Don't be shocked if Encarnacion-Strand is the odd man out when Candelario returns from the IL on Monday — a move that will cause the majority of Reds fans to roll their eyes in disbelief.

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