The Orioles have acquired first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the Reds for cash considerations, and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.
To open a 40-man roster spot, the O’s transferred RHP Yaramil Hiraldo to the 60-day injured list.
Encarnacion-Strand, 26, had a strong rookie season with Cincinnati in 2023 but had been plagued by injuries and inconsistency the last two years, slashing of .199/.227/.337 in the majors and spending a lot of time in Triple-A.
The Reds designated him for assignment last week after he slashed .222/.275/.472 with two homers in 10 games at Triple-A Louisville, and the O’s will now add him for depth in a couple of areas they are suddenly thin in.
Pete Alonso is entrenched at first, but first baseman/DH Ryan Mountcastle is on the 60-day IL after fracturing his foot last weekend, and catcher Adley Rutschman is also on the IL with an ankle injury – which has shifted Samuel Basallo, who had DH’ed in five of the nine games Rutschman started behind the plate, to an everyday role behind the dish.
Add in Tyler O’Neill on the concussion IL, and Baltimore’s depth is being tested. Weston Wilson was added from Triple-A to replace Mountcastle, but if any further injuries occur, Encarnacion-Strand could find a bench/DH role in the Majors.
As for Hiraldo, the 30-year-old had allowed four earned runs in 1 2/3 innings over three appearances before hitting the IL last week with right shoulder inflammation – and he will now be out until at least June after being transferred to the 60-day.
