Breaking: Reds Trade Encarnacion-Strand to AL East Team

After the shocking move of DFA'ing their former elite slugging prospect last week, the Cincinnati Reds have now traded Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Reds have traded INF Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the Orioles for cash considerations. Encarnacion-Strand was designated for assignment last week.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) April 13, 2026

All the Reds are getting in return is the old 'cash considerations.'

Still just 26 years old, CES could potentially find that power stroke that made him a top 10 prospect. Encarnacion-Strand went into the 2024 and 2025 seasons as the Reds' starting first baseman. But injuries and poor performance derailed his career.

His early returns in 2026 aren't anything to write home about, either, as he has two home runs and eight RBI with a .222 batting average through 10 games in Triple-A this season.

The O's made the move after placing Ryan Mountcastle on the 60-day injured list with a fractured foot. CES, who can play either corner on the infield, will take on a bench role in Baltimore, serving as a backup for first baseman Pete Alonso and third baseman Coby Mayo. Additionally, Adley Rutschman, Heston Kjerstad, and Jackson Holliday are all out with injuries, which could give Encarnacion-Strand some openings at DH to get in some at-bats.

In his short career, CES had an impressive rookie season with 13 homers in just 63 games, with a 112 OPS+. In 128 total games, however, across three seasons, he has a .233 batting mark with a .679 OPS. He has 21 homers and 72 RBIs in 500 plate appearances.