The Cincinnati Reds have placed first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand on the 10-day injured list due to lower back inflammation, which has been bothering him for the past few days. The injury has caused him to miss multiple games earlier in the season, but the discomfort persisted, prompting the Reds to take a cautious approach and officially move him to the IL. Encarnacion-Strand’s injury has been an ongoing concern, and the Reds are determined to avoid further complications, given his injury history from last season.
Encarnacion-Strand has struggled to find his rhythm at the plate this year, with a .158 batting average, two home runs, and five RBIs across 15 games. His offensive numbers have been far below expectations, and it’s been evident that the back issue may have contributed to his lack of production. The Reds hoped that he would be a key contributor to the lineup this season, especially at first base, but his struggles have only intensified with the injury, leading to his current stint on the IL.
In his absence, the Reds have called up Noelvi Marte from Triple-A Louisville to take on a more prominent role. Marte, an infielder with the potential to bring some offensive spark, could see time at multiple positions. Meanwhile, the Reds are also considering Jeimer Candelario and Spencer Steer as options at first base, providing some flexibility as the team looks to fill the void left by Encarnacion-Strand.
Encarnacion-Strand’s injury marks another setback for the Reds, who are already dealing with various challenges this season. His offensive struggles have compounded the team’s issues at first base, as the Reds’ first basemen collectively rank with the second-worst wRC+ and the worst fWAR in the major leagues. While some fans hoped that Encarnacion-Strand would step up in a full-time role, his injury history and lack of production have left the Reds in a difficult spot.
The Reds’ front office is now left to wonder whether their failure to pursue options like Josh Naylor during the offseason could have better addressed the first base issue. Naylor, who was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks over the winter, has had a spectacular start to the 2025 season, further highlighting the missed opportunity for Cincinnati. Naylor’s solid defense and offensive production have put him at the center of a competitive team, while the Reds continue to search for stability at first base.
With Encarnacion-Strand out for the time being, the Reds will need to adjust their approach and remain flexible in order to stay competitive. As the season progresses, it will be important for the team to find a reliable solution at first base, whether it comes from internal players like Marte or Candelario, or from future moves in the trade market. For now, the Reds must hope that Encarnacion-Strand can recover quickly and return to form, but for the moment, his injury is just another hurdle in what’s been a frustrating start to the 2025 season.
