Two gamers on the Reds could must go underneath the knife, in line with David Bell, as relayed by Mark Sheldon of MLB.com (X hyperlink) and Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer (X hyperlink). Infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand has ligament injury in his fractured hand whereas left-hander Brandon Williamson has a lesion in his shoulder. Each gamers will probably be evaluated within the coming days with season-ending surgical procedure potential for every of them.
Encarnacion-Strand debuted with a splash final yr, hitting 13 residence runs in his first 63 main league video games. He slashed .270/.328/.477 for a wRC+ of 112 whereas enjoying first and third base, in addition to a short stint in proper discipline.
That exhibiting received him the on a regular basis first base gig coming into 2024, although the season hasn’t performed out the best way he or the membership hoped. He produced a tepid line of .190/.220/.293 this yr earlier than touchdown on the injured checklist in early Might. He had been hit on the hand by a pitch on the finish of April. X-rays after that HBP have been unfavourable however revealed an “outdated fracture” in one in every of his bones, per Wittenmyer. He continued enjoying for a bit bit longer earlier than ultimately being positioned on the IL.
He’s been on the IL for over a month now and it appears some additional testing found some ligament injury. “Surgical procedure is an choice,” Bell stated at the moment, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer on X. “We’re hopeful he can begin progressing. If that’s what he and the specialist resolve.”
As for Williamson, he’s been on the injured checklist all yr on account of a shoulder pressure that was recognized in spring coaching. He had been on a rehab project of late however that was shut down final week on account of continued discomfort.
As soon as a high 100 prospect, Williamson went from the Mariners to the Reds as a part of the March 2022 commerce that despatched Eugenio Suárez and Jesse Winker to Seattle. Williamson made his main league debut final yr with a 4.46 earned run common that isn’t too thrilling, nevertheless it’s maybe notable that his outcomes improved as he received acclimated to the majors. He had a 5.82 ERA in his first eight outings however then a 3.79 ERA in his last 15.
The Reds’ season has been considerably affected by the absences of potential contributors thus far this yr. Noelvi Marté acquired an 80-game PED suspension and has been away from the workforce all yr, whereas gamers like Encarnacion-Strand, Williamson, Matt McLain, Nick Lodolo, TJ Friedl and others have missed time on account of accidents.
Lodolo and Friedl have since returned to the membership and McLain may maybe rejoin the membership in August. If both Encarnacion-Strand or Williamson or each find yourself requiring surgical procedure, it’s going to deprive the membership of one other such return later within the yr.
The membership slumped badly in Might however has been fairly sizzling of late, with seven wins of their previous eight video games. Their 32-34 file isn’t particularly spectacular nevertheless it places them simply half a recreation again of a playoff spot within the comparatively weak Nationwide League playoff race. Assuming they cling across the postseason image within the coming weeks, they can tackle these points, if the surgical procedures are ultimately deemed essential.
For now, Lodolo, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott and Frankie Montas are in 4 rotation spots with one opening as a result of latest optioning of Graham Ashcraft. Inside choices to fill the spot embrace Nick Martinez and Carson Spiers. Williamson could be in that blend if wholesome however he would naturally be subtracted if he finally ends up present process the surgical procedure.
On the infield, Spencer Steer has been the common first baseman these days, with Jonathan India at second, Jeimer Candelario at third and Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, whereas the designated hitter spot has largely been used to rotate the membership’s many outfielders into the lineup. If Encarnacion-Strand have been wholesome, Steer may have been moved to 3rd or DH or a nook outfield spot, although that risk is clearly not an choice in the intervening time and will not come into the play in any respect for the rest of 2024.
