MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in his major-league debut Monday versus the Giants.

Encarnacion-Strand earned his long-awaited promotion after slashing .331/.405/.637 while clubbing 20 home runs in 316 plate appearances with Triple-A Louisville. He's capable of playing both corner infield spots and has a bit of experience in the outfield, too, but the 23-year-old might be best suited for DH.

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.

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.

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.

Harper went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double, a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in a 9-4 win over the Padres during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

The 30-year-old was used only as a pinch hitter in the matinee with lefty Blake Snell on the mound for San Diego, but Harper was back at DH for the nightcap and took Ryan Weathers deep in the fourth inning. The blast snapped a career-worst homer drought for Harper that had lasted 166 plate appearances, and he now has four long balls and six steals in 59 games on the season to go along with his still solid .298/.395/.422 slash line.

Winker isn't in the Brewers' lineup Saturday against Cincinnati.

Winker will remain in the Brewers' dugout as the Reds send lefty Andrew Abbott to the mound to begin the game. Christian Yelich will assume DH duties Saturday while Blake Perkins starts in left field and bats sixth.

Harper will be on the bench for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres.

Harper could play first base at some point soon, but for now, he won't be playing anywhere, with the Phillies seemingly not wanting to tax his surgically-repaired elbow by asking him to play twice in one day. Kyle Schwarber will move to the designated hitter spot, with Brandon Marsh sliding to left field and Johan Rojas set for his big-league debut in center.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 6-0 win over the Mets.

The veteran slugger took Dominic Leone deep in the eighth inning. Martinez has gone yard in three straight games sandwiched around the All-Star break, and over his last 13 contests he has seven of his 24 homers on the season, although his .259/.317/.667 slash line and 30 percent strikeout rate during that stretch are further signs the 35-year-old is becoming more of a one-dimensional power threat at this stage of his career.