MLB Player News

The Reds selected Encarnacion-Strand's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Encarnacion-Strand earned his call-up after he had been one of the most productive power hitters in the upper levels of the minors this season, posting 20 home runs and slashing .331/.405/.637 in 316 plate appearances at Louisville. He kept his strikeout rate at any acceptable level (21.8 percent) and also got his feet wet at a few different positions, taking reps in both corner-outfield spots as well as first base and third base. The 23-year-old is still probably best suited for designated-hitter duties, though the versatility he displayed at Triple-A should help him pick up steady playing time in his first taste of the majors. Look for Encarnacion-Strand to be a mainstay in the lineup versus left-handed pitching, though he could be part of a rotation for the final spot in the starting nine versus right-handers while Cincinnati has all of its key hitters available.

Canha went 1-for-2 with a stolen base in Sunday's extra-inning win over the Dodgers.

He also got hit by a pitch. While he's no longer a regular member of the starting nine for the Mets, Canha continues to see a steady trickle of at-bats thanks to his on-base skills, and over his last 20 games he's slashing .225/.385/.375 with one of his six homers and three of his seven steals on the season.

The Reds will promote Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Louisville on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Encarnacion-Strand has performed well at Louisville over the first half of the 2023 campaign, slashing .331/.405/.637 with 20 homers, 65 runs, 62 RBI and two stolen bases. The 23-year-old has impressed at every level of the minors and will now have an opportunity to showcase his talents on the big-league stage alongside some of Cincinnati's other top prospects in Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain. Encarnacion-Strand has seen some playing time in the outfield recently, and the corner outfield spots could be a path toward playing time if the Reds don't want to take at-bats away from Spencer Steer and Joey Votto. Regardless of Encarnacion-Strand's position, he's in line for regular at-bats with the major-league club as Cincinnati pushes for a playoff spot.

Brantley (shoulder) ran the bases before Sunday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley was shut down from baseball activities in early July, so it was encouraging to see him do some baserunning Sunday. Since he's dealing with a shoulder injury, the Astros will presumably want to see him doing some hitting and fielding before he's in the mix to return to game action.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Sunday that Jimenez (groin) could be out 4-to-5 days, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Jimenez got hurt on the day he returned to outfield duty, though he was injured running to first base Sunday, not while playing the field. Regardless, it sounds like the team is preparing to be without Jimenez for several days at least. He will be re-evaluated before Chicago's series against the Mets in New York.

Jimenez was removed from Sunday's game against Atlanta with left groin tightness.

Jimenez will be evaluated further ahead of the team's upcoming series in Queens. Jake Burger could take over as the primary DH if this forces Jimenez to the injured list, with Yoan Moncada (back) inching closer to a return.

Rooker was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins with an illness, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

There has been nothing to suggest Rooker is dealing with a serious illness. Rooker has had some major peaks and valleys this season -- he's been enjoying success lately, slashing .281/.351/.625 with three homers in his last 10 games despite a 35.1 percent strikeout rate in that span.

The Cardinals optioned Baker to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Baker hasn't appeared in a game since July 5. He will get regular at-bats again at Memphis, where he's crushed to the tune of a .319/.433/.664 slash line and 22 homers in 64 games this season. His path to playing time is complicated by his defensive limitations, though Baker figures to get another opportunity before the end of the season, perhaps shortly after the trade deadline.

Belt isn't in Toronto's lineup Sunday against Arizona.

Left-hander Tommy Henry will start on the mound for the D-backs on Sunday, so Belt will stay put in the Jays' dugout. Alejandro Kirk will step in as Toronto's DH and bat seventh.

The Pirates activated McCutchen from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

The veteran will return after taking some time off to manage right elbow discomfort -- something he's been battling since at least mid-June. McCutchen, in the midst of a resurgent campaign (.808 OPS), will slot back into his customary No. 3 spot in the lineup against lefty Alex Wood and the Giants on Sunday. Rodolfo Castro was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.