The Cincinnati Reds have been hit hard by injuries early in the 2025 season, with key players Tyler Stephenson, Austin Hays, and starting pitcher Andrew Abbott currently on the injured list. The Reds are also missing Abbott from their rotation, but there was some positive news on Tuesday when it was revealed that Abbott would begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. Reds fans are hopeful that Abbott will return soon to bolster the pitching staff.
However, the team’s concerns grew on Tuesday when Christian Encarnacion-Strand was left out of the starting lineup for the game against the Texas Rangers. Encarnacion-Strand had exited Monday’s game after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch, an injury that recalls a similar one he suffered last season, which required surgery and caused him to miss most of the year. Although X-rays on Monday night came back negative, the nature of the injury still has Reds fans worried about his status moving forward.
With Encarnacion-Strand unavailable, Jeimer Candelario will step in at first base for the Reds on Tuesday night against the Rangers, batting fifth in the lineup. The rest of the top four—TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, and Gavin Lux—remain unchanged. Meanwhile, Santiago Espinal will bat sixth, and Jake Fraley, who got his first hit of the season on Monday, will move up to seventh. Blake Dunn will start in left field, and Austin Wynns will catch and bat ninth.
Carson Spiers will take the mound for the Reds on Tuesday, and while he’s expected to make just one start before Abbott returns to the rotation, Spiers has shown promise with a solid spring performance. The Reds are hopeful that Spiers can continue the strong pitching momentum that many of their starters have shown early in the season. Spiers’ performance will be crucial as the team looks to beat the Rangers and win the series.
Despite the injuries and lineup changes, the Reds have remained competitive. Fans are optimistic that the team’s depth and rising stars like De La Cruz can keep the momentum going. With several key players still sidelined, including Encarnacion-Strand and Abbott, the Reds will need strong contributions from the rest of the roster to continue their success in the early weeks of the 2025 season.
