Cincinnati Reds Roster
- NL Central
- Stadium
- Great American Ball Park
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. The young slugger needs a rest day after going 1-for-14 over the last four games. The expectation is the 24-year-old will be back in the lineup following this one-game absence. Spencer Steer will cover first base, while Nick Martini serves as the designated hitter on Sunday.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (hand) was removed from Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers for precautionary reasons. Stephenson was hit in the right hand by a pitch and replaced in the game by Luke Maile. The 27-year-old went 1-for-2 with a run scored before being removed. According to Reds manager David Bell, the removal of Stephenson was precautionary. Stephenson avoided a severe injury and could be back for Sunday's series finale against the Rangers. He is slashing .231/.338/.415 with three home runs, 10 RBI, 12 runs, and a stolen base over 23 games in 2024. Stephenson is expected to be fine and solid fantasy option in two-catcher formats.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) is working out at the team's complex in Arizona while he ramps up his baseball activities. Manager David Bell said Friedly could start playing in games this weekend as a defensive player only. If he continues to progress, he could start bunting in games this weekend. By the middle of next week, he could be ready to start a minor-league rehab assignment by joining Triple-A Louisville when they visit St. Paul. Bell projected Friedl would need between one and two weeks before being ready to return. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent has yet to make his 2024 debut with the Reds because of the injury. In a career-high 138 games in 2023, he hit .279/.352/.467 with 18 home runs, 66 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 556 plate appearances.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (illness) was available to come off the bench on Friday night against the Texas Rangers, according to manager David Bell. Fraley has been sidelined with an illness since Sunday. "He's back," Bell said. "I wanted him to go through a full day of work today and not start him. But, he's available off the bench, available to start tomorrow." The 28-year-old left-handed hitter should be back in the starting lineup on Saturday when the team faces Rangers right-hander Michael Lorenzen, but fantasy managers will want to check back for Cincy's lineup. The former second-rounder of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 out of LSU typically starts against righties for the Reds and was hitting a strong .362 (17-for-47) with a homer, four RBI and five steals before his illness.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitching prospect Rhett Lowder threw six innings, allowed one unearned run, three hits, one free pass, and struck out nine on Friday. The 22-year-old has been one of the best pitchers in the minor leagues this season, and Friday was just another example of that. The number two prospect in the Reds system has posted a dominant 1.86 ERA,0.98 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts in 19 innings. The 31st overall prospect in baseball should be in Double-A very soon and could push for a late-season call-up to the majors to join the Reds for the stretch run. Lowder should be rostered in all dynasty leagues and could be worth looking at in redraft formats if he reaches Double and Triple-A soon.