Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand made his long-awaited return to the lineup on June 6, 2025, following a nearly two-month stint on the injured list due to lower back inflammation. The 24-year-old slugger had been sidelined since April 17, when lingering discomfort forced the Reds to shut him down and seek a more cautious path to recovery. His absence left a noticeable void in the middle of the batting order, especially as the team struggled to find consistency at the plate.
Prior to the injury, Encarnacion-Strand was off to a slow start to the 2025 season, slashing just .158/.183/.298 through 15 games. Though the numbers were disappointing, Reds coaches and fans remained optimistic, hoping the young power hitter would regain his form once healthy. During his rehab assignment in Triple-A Louisville, he showed encouraging signs of improvement, with better swing mechanics and more discipline at the plate, ultimately earning his call-up back to the big-league club.
His return to the Reds was nothing short of electrifying. In a rain-delayed game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Encarnacion-Strand made history by becoming the first MLB player with hits both before and after a rain delay in the same game. He went on to launch a game-tying home run and later delivered a walk-off single in the same contest, immediately reminding the club of the impact his bat can bring. He followed up that performance with another big game, crushing a three-run homer in a 13–1 rout of Arizona.
However, the excitement surrounding his return has since cooled. Over the next few games, Encarnacion-Strand struggled mightily, going just 2-for-18 in four outings while striking out eight times. His lack of plate discipline became glaring, as he frequently chased pitches far out of the zone, leading to speculation about whether he had returned too soon or was simply trying to do too much too quickly. His 46.8% chase rate — if qualified — would be among the highest in Major League Baseball.
Reds manager Terry Francona now faces a difficult decision: keep Encarnacion-Strand in a prime lineup spot despite the slump, or move him down in the order to take pressure off while he regains rhythm. With other injuries thinning the top of the batting order, including the absence of Austin Hays, Cincinnati is in desperate need of dependable offense. For a team fighting to stay in postseason contention, every at-bat matters — and the Reds can’t afford extended cold streaks from key contributors.
Ultimately, Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s return is a welcome development for the Reds, but his performance going forward will be under a microscope. The power is clearly there, and the potential to become a mainstay in the heart of the order remains intact. Still, until he refines his approach and begins making more consistent contact, questions about his readiness and long-term role will continue to swirl. The Reds are hopeful the post-injury rust wears off soon — because they need him now more than ever.
