Christian Encarnacion-Strand has made his return to the Cincinnati Reds, activated from the injured list and immediately placed in the starting lineup. His presence likely comes at the expense of catcher Austin Wynns, who has been designated for assignment following his strong performance as a backup catcher this season.

Diving into his statistics, Encarnacion-Strand showcased impressive numbers during his rehab stint, boasting a .324 batting average and leading with a 1.095 OPS, including two home runs and seven RBIs across just ten games. Reds manager Terry Francona noted Encarnacion-Strand's potential for great power if he can maintain his strike zone discipline. His return could also provide flexibility for the Reds, allowing players like Spencer Steer to be utilized in different positions as he recovers from his own early-season issues.