Christian

Encarnacion-Strand

CES took a pitch off his wrist a couple weeks ago and the initial X-Rays came back negative, but now the team is saying there is a fracture which will sideline him forthe next six to eight weeks. Santiago Espinal is likely to take over duties at the hot corner full time until the 24-year-old can return to the Cincinnati’s lineup.

Encarnacion-Strand will miss his third consecutive contest since being drilled on the hand during Saturday’s game against the Rangers. The positive news here is that he didn’t suffer any fractures and should be ready to return at some point this week. It’ll be Santiago Espinal handling the hot corner on Tuesday night in his absence.

Encarnacion-Strand was plunked in the hand during Saturday’s game, and he was held out of the lineup Sunday as well. The 24-year-old will miss at least one more game with Jeimer Candelario lined up at first base and Santiago Espinal in at third.

Fortunately, X-rays came back negative for any fractures and Encarnacion-Strand isn’t expected to be shelved for long. He should be considered day-to-day heading into next week.

Encarnacion-Strand has gone just 1-for-14 over his last four games, and Cincinnati will have the 24-year-old take a day off for the series finale against the Rangers. Spencer Steer is the starting first baseman with Nick Martini the designated hitter. Tyler Stephenson also gets the day off with Luke Maile behind the plate.

It was a much-needed big game for CES, who raised his triple slash to .216/.220/.352 on the season. His hardest hit ball of the day was a 100 mph lineout, but he also had a single and a double that were each over 93.5 mph. It’s not lighting up a radar gun, but it’s nice to see him making consistent hard contact. The impressive depth that the Reds had at the start of the season is now gone due to injury, so he should have a long enough leash to work through his early season struggles.

Encarnacion-Strand is at first base and batting fifth after missing a pair of contests earlier this week due to illness. The 24-year-old slugger is batting .192 (14-for-73) with two homers and 12 RBI through 17 games. He’s struck out 21 times and only drawn one walk in 76 plate appearances so far.

Encarnacion-Strand wasn’t feeling well, which led to him sitting out Wednesday’s series finale against the Mariners. The 24-year-old slugger figures to be ready to return to Cincinnati’s lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Angels.

CES took Mike Soroka deep for his first homer since March 31. Even though he’s hitting .185 with an ugly 20/1 K/BB ratio, the Reds have stuck with him as their No. 3 hitter since Opening Day. We’re not sure that’s the right place for him in this lineup, but we still believe in him for fantasy purposes; the power numbers will be there in the end.

Encarnacion-Strand got the scoring started with a sacrifice fly in the first, and he picked up two more RBI with a single in the eighth inning. It’s been a bit of a slow start for the 24-year-old as seen in his .179/.186/.268 slash, but the 24-year-old oozes offensive upside, and should have plenty more games like this as the year goes on.