The Cincinnati Reds made a roster move today by activating outfielder Jake Fraley from the 10-day injured list. In a notable decision, they also optioned infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the active roster.
Fraley has been out of action since June 23, when he sustained a partial tear in his right shoulder labrum. This injury is part of a troubling pattern of shoulder issues that have plagued him for the past few seasons. In an effort to avoid undergoing surgery during the season, Fraley received a cortisone injection with the hope that he could continue playing through the discomfort and postpone any medical procedure until the offseason. Whether this strategy will ultimately pay off remains to be seen.
Over the last two seasons, Fraley’s production has declined, likely due in part to these persistent health problems. Since the start of the 2024 campaign, he’s posted a slash line of .263/.330/.383 in 527 plate appearances—a step back from his earlier offensive output. In addition to the shoulder concerns, he’s dealt with a calf strain that sent him to the injured list earlier this year, as well as a knee sprain that sidelined him for part of the 2024 season.
Now back with the big-league squad, Fraley is expected to take playing time away from fellow left-handed outfielder Will Benson. However, the Reds already have a surplus of lefty-swinging outfielders, including Fraley, Benson, TJ Friedl, and Gavin Lux. Austin Hays, one of the few right-handed hitters in the mix, has been rotating between left field and designated hitter duties, especially after spending multiple stints on the injured list himself this year. With the Reds still in the thick of the National League Wild Card race, it’s becoming increasingly clear that adding a reliable right-handed bat could be a key trade deadline priority—assuming the team continues to compete as July 31 approaches.
On the other side of the roster move, Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been sent down to Triple-A after struggling to regain form at the major league level. He made a strong impression as a rookie in 2023, slashing .270/.328/.477 with 13 home runs across 241 plate appearances. After dominating minor league pitching prior to his call-up, Encarnacion-Strand seemed poised to become a staple in the Reds’ lineup.
The Cincinnati Reds made a roster move today by activating outfielder Jake Fraley from the 10-day injured list. In a notable decision, they also optioned infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the active roster.
Fraley has been out of action since June 23, when he sustained a partial tear in his right shoulder labrum. This injury is part of a troubling pattern of shoulder issues that have plagued him for the past few seasons. In an effort to avoid undergoing surgery during the season, Fraley received a cortisone injection with the hope that he could continue playing through the discomfort and postpone any medical procedure until the offseason. Whether this strategy will ultimately pay off remains to be seen.
Over the last two seasons, Fraley’s production has declined, likely due in part to these persistent health problems. Since the start of the 2024 campaign, he’s posted a slash line of .263/.330/.383 in 527 plate appearances—a step back from his earlier offensive output. In addition to the shoulder concerns, he’s dealt with a calf strain that sent him to the injured list earlier this year, as well as a knee sprain that sidelined him for part of the 2024 season.
Now back with the big-league squad, Fraley is expected to take playing time away from fellow left-handed outfielder Will Benson. However, the Reds already have a surplus of lefty-swinging outfielders, including Fraley, Benson, TJ Friedl, and Gavin Lux. Austin Hays, one of the few right-handed hitters in the mix, has been rotating between left field and designated hitter duties, especially after spending multiple stints on the injured list himself this year. With the Reds still in the thick of the National League Wild Card race, it’s becoming increasingly clear that adding a reliable right-handed bat could be a key trade deadline priority—assuming the team continues to compete as July 31 approaches.
On the other side of the roster move, Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been sent down to Triple-A after struggling to regain form at the major league level. He made a strong impression as a rookie in 2023, slashing .270/.328/.477 with 13 home runs across 241 plate appearances. After dominating minor league pitching prior to his call-up, Encarnacion-Strand seemed poised to become a staple in the Reds’ lineup.
However, that early promise has been derailed by injuries and poor performance. He missed a large chunk of the 2024 season recovering from wrist surgery and then returned to the injured list in April due to back issues. He didn’t return to the Reds until early June, and manager Terry Francona suggested the team was viewing his stint as a continued development opportunity. Despite that hope, Encarnacion-Strand has struggled badly since rejoining the club, hitting just .199/.227/.337 over 260 plate appearances.
His demotion is not a reflection of a lack of talent—his Triple-A numbers remain excellent, with a career OPS of 1.048 in 359 plate appearances—but with the Reds chasing a playoff berth, they simply can’t afford to let him work through his struggles at the big-league level. For now, he’ll return to Louisville in hopes of finding his rhythm again and earning another shot later this season.
The Cincinnati Reds made a roster move today by activating outfielder Jake Fraley from the 10-day injured list. In a notable decision, they also optioned infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the active roster.
Fraley has been out of action since June 23, when he sustained a partial tear in his right shoulder labrum. This injury is part of a troubling pattern of shoulder issues that have plagued him for the past few seasons. In an effort to avoid undergoing surgery during the season, Fraley received a cortisone injection with the hope that he could continue playing through the discomfort and postpone any medical procedure until the offseason. Whether this strategy will ultimately pay off remains to be seen.
Over the last two seasons, Fraley’s production has declined, likely due in part to these persistent health problems. Since the start of the 2024 campaign, he’s posted a slash line of .263/.330/.383 in 527 plate appearances—a step back from his earlier offensive output. In addition to the shoulder concerns, he’s dealt with a calf strain that sent him to the injured list earlier this year, as well as a knee sprain that sidelined him for part of the 2024 season.
Now back with the big-league squad, Fraley is expected to take playing time away from fellow left-handed outfielder Will Benson. However, the Reds already have a surplus of lefty-swinging outfielders, including Fraley, Benson, TJ Friedl, and Gavin Lux. Austin Hays, one of the few right-handed hitters in the mix, has been rotating between left field and designated hitter duties, especially after spending multiple stints on the injured list himself this year. With the Reds still in the thick of the National League Wild Card race, it’s becoming increasingly clear that adding a reliable right-handed bat could be a key trade deadline priority—assuming the team continues to compete as July 31 approaches.
On the other side of the roster move, Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been sent down to Triple-A after struggling to regain form at the major league level. He made a strong impression as a rookie in 2023, slashing .270/.328/.477 with 13 home runs across 241 plate appearances. After dominating minor league pitching prior to his call-up, Encarnacion-Strand seemed poised to become a staple in the Reds’ lineup.
However, that early promise has been derailed by injuries and poor performance. He missed a large chunk of the 2024 season recovering from wrist surgery and then returned to the injured list in April due to back issues. He didn’t return to the Reds until early June, and manager Terry Francona suggested the team was viewing his stint as a continued development opportunity. Despite that hope, Encarnacion-Strand has struggled badly since rejoining the club, hitting just .199/.227/.337 over 260 plate appearances.
His demotion is not a reflection of a lack of talent—his Triple-A numbers remain excellent, with a career OPS of 1.048 in 359 plate appearances—but with the Reds chasing a playoff berth, they simply can’t afford to let him work through his struggles at the big-league level. For now, he’ll return to Louisville in hopes of finding his rhythm again and earning another shot later this season.
However, that early promise has been derailed by injuries and poor performance. He missed a large chunk of the 2024 season recovering from wrist surgery and then returned to the injured list in April due to back issues. He didn’t return to the Reds until early June, and manager Terry Francona suggested the team was viewing his stint as a continued development opportunity. Despite that hope, Encarnacion-Strand has struggled badly since rejoining the club, hitting just .199/.227/.337 over 260 plate appearances.
His demotion is not a reflection of a lack of talent—his Triple-A numbers remain excellent, with a career OPS of 1.048 in 359 plate appearances—but with the Reds chasing a playoff berth, they simply can’t afford to let him work through his struggles at the big-league level. For now, he’ll return to Louisville in hopes of finding his rhythm again and earning another shot later this season.