The Reds introduced that infielders Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Matt McLain have been reinstated from the 60-day injured record. To open 40-man roster spots for these two, they designated left-hander Brandon Leibrandt and infielder Amed Rosario for project. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer relays on X that the strikes had been vital as a result of McLain and Encarnacion-Strand are technically on rehab assignments within the Arizona Fall League they usually reached their most rehab time, subsequently needing to retake spots on the 40-man roster.
The Reds suffered a lot of important accidents in 2024, with McLain and Encarnacion-Strand two of the largest losses. McLain underwent left labrum surgical procedure in March and hoped to return again round August. However he suffered a stress response in his rib cage whereas attempting to make his method again and ended up lacking your complete season.
Encarnacion-Strand performed 29 video games however could have been enjoying damage as he put up a dismal .190/.220/.293 line in that point. He was hit by a pitch on his hand in April and an X-ray revealed an previous fracture that CES couldn’t work out how he suffered. He went on the IL in Might with a proper ulnar styloid fracture and ultimately underwent surgical procedure in June. That process got here with a three-month timeline and he wasn’t capable of return within the the rest of the common season.
Each gamers missed important time in 2024 however apparently bought wholesome because the season was ending, so the Reds despatched each to the Glendale Desert Canines of the Arizona Fall League to get some reps earlier than the winter units in. The Canines performed their first recreation on October 8 and rehab assignments include a 20-day most for place gamers. It appears that evidently MLB views their time within the AFL as a rehab project, so that they needed to be reinstated from the 60-day IL in the present day with their rehab window closing.
The strikes are largely technicalities, as each gamers would should be reinstated from the injured quickly regardless. There’s no injured record from 5 days after the World Collection till spring coaching begins, so all gamers on the 60-day IL should be reinstated quickly anyway. This rehab formality simply compelled the Reds to do it barely forward of schedule.
Of the 2 gamers they got rid of, Rosario was slated to be off the roster quickly anyway. He signed a one-year take care of the Rays for 2024, ultimately getting traded to the Dodgers earlier than touchdown with the Reds through waivers. There’s no cause for any membership to assert him now, as 28 of the 30 golf equipment are eradicated. He wouldn’t be postseason eligible with the Yankees or Dodgers because it’s after the September 1 cutoff date. As a veteran with greater than six years of service time, he has the precise to reject an outright project. He’ll quickly hit free company, a number of days sooner than anticipated.
Leibrandt, 32 in December, might have been retained for subsequent 12 months as he has lower than a 12 months of service time however seemingly wasn’t in Cincinnati’s plans. He signed a minor league take care of the membership in Might and bought added to the roster on the finish of August. He caught on the 40-man for the ultimate month of the season however was totally on optionally available project. He solely bought into two main league video games this 12 months, permitting seven earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.
He was pretty serviceable within the minors this 12 months, with a 4.41 ERA in 17 Triple-A begins. He had a 22.7% strikeout charge and 6% stroll charge. Nevertheless, he was pitching impartial leagues final 12 months and initially of 2024. As a journeyman sliding in the direction of his mid 30s, he was certainly seen as a brief choice on the membership’s roster this 12 months as they handled quite a few pitching accidents.
As a participant with a earlier profession outright, he has the precise to elect free company versus accepting one other outright project. Most golf equipment are dealing with roster crunches within the coming days, so he’ll presumably clear waivers and return to the open market shortly.