Encarnacion-Strand (hand) will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's contest versus the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand didn't play Tuesday after leaving Monday's game following a hit-by-pitch on the right hand, but it will be just a one-game absence for the infielder. The 25-year-old is 4-for-14 with one home run in the early going this season.

Encarnacion-Strand (hand) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old departed Monday's series opener after being hit by a pitch on the right hand and will be absent from the starting nine for at least one game. Encarnacion-Strand already had X-rays come back negative and could be available off the bench, per Reds manager Terry Francona, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports. Jeimer Candelario is shifting to first base Tuesday while Santiago Espinal receives a start at the hot corner.

The Reds announced Monday that X-rays on Encarnacion-Strand's right hand came back negative, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand was pulled from Monday's game against the Rangers after being hit by a pitch on the hand, but he checked out OK after undergoing further testing. The club will presumably check on the first baseman Tuesday morning before determining whether he can be penciled into the starting lineup for the second game of the series.

Encarnacion-Strand left Monday's game against the Rangers after being hit by a pitch on his right hand, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand is presumably headed for further testing to determine the extent of his injury, though this move could also be precautionary considering the Reds were out to a comfortable 12-0 lead. He went 0-for-2 with one walk, one run scored and one hit-by-pitch before being lifted. Jeimer Candelario will shift to first base and Santiago Espinal will enter the game at the hot corner following Encarnacion-Strand's removal.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand put the Reds ahead in the sixth inning with a solo shot off reliever Spencer Bivens. The 25-year-old earned the starting first base job after posting an .899 OPS over 56 plate appearances this spring. He's carried that momentum into the regular season, delivering back-to-back multi-hit performances to open 2025.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's spring game against Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand took advantage of a Jordan Montgomery fastball that stayed up for his third Cactus League homer. Coming back from a wrist injury that limited him to 29 games in 2024, Encarnacion-Strand appears healthy in camp. He's mainly batted in the lower half of the order this spring, but he could provide a middle-of-the-order presence if he continues to mash. Capable of playing both corner infield spots, Encarnacion-Strand has started mostly at first base and is looking like the favorite to win the job. His cause is aided by the shoulder injury to Spencer Steer, who may open the regular season on the IL.

Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand led off the second inning with a solo home run, his second blast of the Cactus League. He's looking to put an injury-marred 2024 in the past; the 25-year-old corner infielder was limited to just 29 games by a wrist injury last season. While the Reds are using Encarnacion-Strand and others at both corner infield spots, he appears to be the team's expected starter at first base.

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a home run in Wednesday's spring game against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand has appeared in three games, twice at first base and once at third, as each corner infield spot is not yet set. He and Jeimer Candelario have seen action on each corner thus far in Cactus League action, but C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic observed that Encarnacion-Strand has spent most of his time at first base during workouts while Candelario's logged plenty of time at third.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that he'd like to see Encarnacion-Strand play third base during spring training, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand was expected to be the team's primary first baseman in 2024, but hand and wrist injuries limited him to 29 games. He started seven games at third base for the Reds in 2023, and the hot corner was a regular spot for Encarnacion-Strand in the minors and college. Francona indicated that several infielders will "move around" at the beginning of spring training before the manager settles on a position for players like Encarnacion-Strand, Gavin Lux and Jeimer Candelario.

The Reds activated Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The move was required because Encarnacion-Strand is in the Arizona Fall League on a rehab assignment, which has expired. He will continue to play in the AFL and is now back on the Reds' 40-man roster after missing most of the season following wrist surgery.