"Encarnacion-Strand was Cincinnati's season-opening first baseman in each of the last two years. He had impressed with a .270/.328/.477 line over 63 games as a rookie in 2023. He hasn't built off that production. The righty hitter limped to a .199/.227/.337 showing while striking out more than a quarter of the time in 65 games between 2024-25."
"The 26-year-old had a solid but unexceptional minor league campaign. He hit .246/.309/.492 with 11 longballs and a 25.1% strikeout rate in 64 games. He'd gotten into six games this spring, going 5-15 with a pair of doubles."
"Petty is a former first-round pick who made his first three major league outings last year. He was blitzed for 14 runs in six innings. Petty tossed four scoreless innings this spring, striking out and walking two batters. He'll head back to Triple-A Louisville, where he gave up a 6.39 ERA across 112 2/3 innings."
The Cincinnati Reds optioned Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Chase Petty following disappointing performances. Encarnacion-Strand, the team's Opening Day first baseman for two consecutive years, declined significantly from his impressive 2023 rookie season, batting .199 with excessive strikeouts in 2024-25 while dealing with injuries. His minor league performance remained mediocre. The Reds plan to start rookie Sal Stewart at first base with Eugenio Suárez providing depth. Petty, a former first-round pick, was ineffective in his three 2024 MLB appearances and will return to Triple-A Louisville after posting a 6.39 ERA.
#mlb-roster-moves #cincinnati-reds #spring-training #player-performance-decline #minor-league-assignment
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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