Elly De La Cruz, Christian Encarnacion-Strand out for start of season
GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– Two of the brightest stars in the Cincinnati Reds’ farm system have been set back by minor injuries, and they won’t be ready for the start of the season.
Reds shortstop prospect Elly De La Cruz, a consensus top-10 prospect in baseball, was injured on March 18 with a left hamstring strain. He’s due back on April 12.
Reds infield prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand was originally injured on February 13 with a slight disc herniation in his back. He only missed a few days of spring training in February and went on to become one of the top hitters in the Cactus League, hitting .577 with 13 RBI in 27 plate appearances.
Encarnacion-Strand was able to play through the injury for most of the spring, but he hasn’t played in minor league spring training games over the last week. Out of precaution, Encarnacion-Strand is likely to return fully to minor league games by April 24. He could potentially play part-time or start as the designated hitter beginning April 19.
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De La Cruz and Encarnacion-Strand are both projected to start the year in Triple-A with the Louisville Bats. If the Reds determine that another level is best suited for their return to play, then they could go to another Reds minor league team to start the season.
When De La Cruz and Encarnacion-Strand are fully healthy, the Bats will have their most exciting team in a decade with a roster that has top prospects throughout the lineup and the rotation.
For now, the Reds’ farm system will begin the year without two of its best players.
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