Now we have a bit more clarity on why Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup on Thursday. He didn’t seem to suffer any injury in last night’s game, but Encarnacion-Strand is also hitting just .158/.183/.298 in 60 plate appearances this season, so perhaps the Reds can use this time as a bit of a reset. Noelvi Marte was called up to take his place, but this should mean more playing time at first base for Jeimer Candelario, but Santiago Espinal has also been taking reps at first base in practice and could get some extra starts.

Encarnacion-Strand started last night and drove in two runs on a double; however, he will now shift to the bench with Jeimer Candelario entering the lineup at first base and batting sixth. Now that Austin Hays is back from the IL, the Reds have shifted Gavin Lux back into the infield, which means Lux, Candelario, and Encarnacion-Strand will likely have to rotate playing time in the immediate future.

The Mariners had stretched out a five-run lead and seemed to be cruising before the Reds and Encarnacion-Strand made it interesting in the seventh inning with a little rally. That was a big hit for Encarnacion-Strand too as he was trapped in an 0-for-14 skid in what’s been a disastrous season so far. He’s only a part-time player at the moment, starting just three of the Reds’ last five games and shouldn’t be on any fantasy radars unless his playing time picks up again.

It’s good that Marte is playing after spring his first three games on the bench. It seems odd to have Encarnacion-Strand on the bench against a lefty, but he actually has hit righties better to date in his major league career, even if it’s probably a fluke. Encarnacion-Strand is in a 4-for-41 slump after going 4-for-8 in his first two games of the season. Of course, the entire Reds team is hitting .203 right now. Their only healthy players with .700 OPSs this season are their two catchers: Jose Trevino (.773) and Austin Wynns (.879 in 12 PA).