When Will Christian Encarnacion-Strand Return and Be Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand largely made good on his prospect hype in his debut 2023 season, showcasing the thump he delivered in the minors, even if his strikeout and walk rates left much to be desired.

Of course, big-league success is far from linear as the 2024 season has been a humbling one for the 24-year-old. Not only did his on-field performance significantly regress but a wrist injury has limited the youngster to just 29 games this season.

That being said, let's check in on Encarnacion-Strand's current injury status, when he could return to action, and what fantasy managers can expect upon his potential return.

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Christian Encarnacion-Strand Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Encarnacion-Strand hasn't appeared for the Reds since May 7, which could represent his final game of the 2024 season. The former Twins fourth-rounder will reportedly undergo surgery to fix ligaments in his ailing right wrist, a procedure that comes alongside a three-month recovery timeline.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand to have right hand surgery on July 11. Recovery time expected to be three months.

— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) June 25, 2024

In other words, it appears CES' regular season has come to a conclusion. The 37-41 Reds sit just 2.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League but there are also six other NL clubs within three games of that spot. As a result, it appears likelier than not that we have seen the last of Encarnacion-Strand in the 2024 campaign.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Encarnacion-Strand made his big-league debut in the 2023 season, hitting .270 with 13 homers and an .805 OPS across 63 games. His weak 5.8% BB% and bloated 28.6% K% were of some concern but his .346 xwOBA was identical to his .346 wOBA, suggesting he deserved every bit of a fortune that saw his bat stand 12% above the league average, as per his 112 wRC+.

I miss Christian Encarnacion-Strand. I feel like we really got robbed from this damn injury. #Reds pic.twitter.com/b5gQu8UpMY

— Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) June 20, 2024

However, he came out of the gate with a .190 average, two homers, and a .513 OPS across his first 123 plate appearances in 2024, production that led to a ghastly 37 wRC+. A wonky wrist could have certainly played a part in his disastrous sophomore campaign (he was hit by a pitch on April 28) but that is little consolation for fantasy managers encouraged by his 2023 debut.

Redraft managers can certainly cut bait but dynasty managers should seriously consider a stash considering the power potential in one of the baseball's hitter-friendliest venues.

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