Encarnacion-Strand is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand started the first seven contests upon his activation from the 10-day injured list and slugged home runs in each of the first three of those games. However, he's gone just 2-for-21 with seven strikeouts in his last six games, and Wednesday will be the second time across the last four tilts that he's been out of the lineup. Spencer Steer and Santiago Espinal will handle corner-infield duties for the Reds.

Encarnacion-Strand isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

In seven games since returning from the injured list, Encarnacion-Strand has gone 9-for-19 (.310) with three home runs, seven RBI and five runs scored. The Reds will give him a chance to rest Saturday while Spencer Steer starts at first base and Gavin Lux mans third.

Encarnacion-Strand started at third base and went 0-for-4 in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

This was the first time in five games that Encarnacion-Strand failed to reach base safely since coming off the IL; he'd gone 8-for-17 with a double, three home runs and seven RBI over the first four contests. This marked the third time in those five games that he's started at third base. Reds manager Terry Francona needs to find time for both Encarnacion-Strand and Spencer Steer, and it appears Santiago Espinal's regular run at third base has ended.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand got the Reds on the board with a 403-foot blast in the fourth inning. He enjoyed an ideal return to action over the weekend, homering in all three games while collecting seven hits and six RBI. The 25-year-old is now slashing .229/.257/.486 with five home runs, 11 RBI and seven runs scored across 74 plate appearances this season, and he earned his second start at third base Sunday.

Encarnacion-Strand went 5-for-10 with two home runs and five RBI across the Reds' two wins over the Diamondbacks on Friday and Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Friday's game was suspended due to rain, and when it resumed Saturday, Encarnacion-Strand emerged as the hero after smacking the walk-off RBI double in the 10th. He brought his momentum into Saturday's scheduled game, putting the Reds on the board in the first inning with a three-run longshot to left field. It was Encarnacion-Strand's first major-league action since landing on the 10-day injured list April 17 due to a back issue. He had a .482 OPS across 59 plate appearances prior to his injury, and the extended period on the shelf may have helped the 25-year-old infielder figure things out at the plate.

The Reds activated Encarnacion-Strand (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand has been on the shelf since April 17 due to lower back inflammation, but after a lengthy rehab assignment, he's been cleared to rejoin the Reds. Prior to sustaining the injury, Encarnacion-Strand slashed .158/.183/.298 with two home runs in 60 plate appearances. However, he went 12-for-37 (.324) with a pair of homers over 10 games with Triple-A Louisville during his rehab stint.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that Encarnacion-Strand (back) will remain on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville to begin the week, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports. "When he went down [with lower back inflammation], he wasn't swinging great," Francona said of Encarnacion-Strand. "Then you lose some time. You try to use [the rehab assignment] to your advantage."

EDGE Analysis

Francona's comments suggest that Encarnacion-Strand isn't dealing with any physical setbacks since kicking off his rehab assignment May 22. Instead, the Reds want the 25-year-old to stockpile some more at-bats in the minors to get his timing back at the plate after he had struggled to begin the season before getting hurt and then being out of action for more than a month. Between stops in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Louisville during his rehab assignment, Encarnacion-Strand has slashed .355/.412/.742 with seven extra-base hits and a 2:8 BB:K over 34 plate appearances. The Reds could revisit adding Encarnacion-Strand back to the active roster following Thursday's off day.

Encarnacion-Strand (back) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand's rehab assignment shifted from the Arizona Complex League to Louisville, and this was his third appearance overall. He played first base in both games while in the ACL. The Bats were off Monday, and Encarnacion-Strand is expected to play Tuesday against Toledo. He's up to 11 plate appearances on the assignment, and the organization may want to see him push that to 20 or so after having missed nearly six weeks.

Encarnacion-Strand (back) will have his rehab assignment moved to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Encarnacion-Strand kicked off his rehab in the Arizona Complex League on Wednesday and is 2-for-7 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. The Reds' roster has undergone some changes since he was placed on the injured list mid-April. Spencer Steer's early season shoulder issue no longer limits him to DH only, and he's been the primary first baseman, which was Encarnacion-Strand's job when he was added to IL.

The Reds announced that Encarnacion-Strand (back) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

EDGE Analysis

Shortly after being placed on the injured list April 17 due to lower-back inflammation, Encarnacion-Strand reported to the Reds' spring training facility in Arizona to conduct his rehab program. His back has apparently responded well since he resumed ramping up his baseball activities in recent weeks, and he's now been deemed ready to test himself in a game setting. He'll likely stick around in Arizona for a few games before eventually transferring his rehab assignment to a higher-level affiliate, and a return from the IL by the end of next week could be a possibility if everything goes smoothly. Before landing on the shelf, Encarnacion-Strand had been serving as Cincinnati's primary first baseman but slashed just .158/.183/.298 over 60 plate appearances. With Spencer Steer having since settled in at first base over the past month and having picked up the pace at the plate following a slow start to the season, Encarnacion-Strand may not have an everyday spot in the Cincinnati lineup waiting for him once he returns.